Buy Thermonator: The $10,000 Flame-Throwing Robot Dog

Over 120 years ago, German inventor Richard Fiedler showcased the first prototypes of his flammenwefer, the modern flamethrower, to the German Army. Inspired by ancient ideas dating back to Greek and Roman times when liquid fuels were combined with the ability to start fires easily, the flamethrower became a lethal weapon. Traditionally, flamethrowers have always required human operators, whether on the ground or from a tank during World War II.

However, Throwflame, a company, has introduced a modern twist with their creation of the Thermonator – a robot dog equipped with a flamethrower. This robot can be purchased for $9,420 and is designed for various purposes such as snow and ice removal, ecological conservation, burning grasslands, pest control, and entertainment.

The Thermonator is modeled after Boston Dynamics’ Spot robot dog, with an hour of autonomy, obstacle detection systems, remote operation capabilities, and a flamethrower with a range of 9 meters. It can be operated with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS for geolocation. The robot can use both gasoline and diesel as fuel to ignite fires.

Although initially designed for military use by the US Army, these robot dogs have been repurposed for civilian applications. They have been seen carrying firearms, swimming alongside police officers, and serving as load mules for soldiers. With a blend of advanced technology and practicality, the Thermonator represents a new era in flamethrower technology.