A Chinese robot designed to fight fires recently passed a technical benchmark test and will soon enter mass production. It has onboard flameproof sensors that can locate the presence of toxic material, low oxygen levels, and heavy smoke. Three on-board cameras relay visual images to humans operating a fire containment strategy. The prototype tested weighs 300 kilograms (660 pounds), moves on chain treads, is able to mount obstacles one-quarter of a meter high, and can travel up stairs with a 30 degree angle.

Via (English Eastday)