Makati Mayor Abby Binay on Monday announced the city’s acquisition of three Rosenbauer Smart Firefighting Robots to strengthen its emergency and disaster response, especially in high-risk situations.

“The smart firefighting robots will help our response teams handle complex and dangerous situations more effectively through advance features that can compensate for human limitations,” Binay said.

Each robot can operate in extreme heat, low visibility, and hazardous conditions. It features a built-in acoustic warning system to alert nearby personnel and a payload capacity of up to 600 kilograms—allowing it to drag injured responders or civilians to safety.

The robots are remotely operated via dual joysticks and can be deployed in fires, confined rescues, and other complex emergencies. Their water turret can discharge 1,500 to 3,500 liters per minute at 10-bar pressure, reaching up to 80 feet.

The purchase is part of Makati’s broader disaster preparedness program. The city has previously procured mobile command and emergency vehicles, fire trucks, rescue boats, ambulances, and other specialized equipment.

In 2022, Makati was named the Philippines’ and Southeast Asia’s first Resilience Hub by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), in recognition of its commitment to reducing disaster and climate risks.