The Thermonator, the much-talked about flame-throwing robot from Ohio-based Throwflame, is now available for purchase . Dubbed by the company as “the pioneering flamethrower robot dog”, this robot is ready to be purchased at a price of $9,420.
The Thermonator is a robotic quadruped equipped with an ARC flamethrower mounted on its back, capable of being powered by both gasoline and napalm . With a battery that guarantees one hour of continuous operation, this device offers a flame-throwing range of up to 30 feet. Furthermore, its Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity allows remote control via smartphone.
Additional features include a LIDAR sensor for mapping and obstacle detection, a laser targeting system and first-person navigation (FPV) capability via an integrated camera. It’s no secret that Thermonator appears to incorporate elements of the Unitree Go2 quadruped robot , which sells separately for $1,600 in its base configuration.
The company lists possible applications for the new robot as “forest fire control and prevention”, “agricultural management”, “ecological conservation”, “snow and ice removal” and “entertainment and special effects”. But most of all, he sets things on fire in a variety of real-world scenarios.
In 2018, Elon Musk attracted media attention by making an official Boring Company flamethrower available, which, according to reports, reached the mark of 10,000 units sold in just 48 hours. This initiative did not go unnoticed, generating controversy due to the dual potential of flamethrowers, which could be used as weapons or even trigger forest fires.
In 48 US states, flamethrowers are not subject to specific regulations, although general product liability laws and criminal provisions may still apply to their use and marketing. They are not classified as firearms by federal authorities. However, in Maryland , possession requires a Federal Firearms License, while in California , the device’s range cannot exceed 10 feet.
Despite this, it is important to highlight that flamethrowers have the potential to cause significant damage to people and property, and can start fires and result in serious consequences if not handled with caution. Therefore, the Thermonator may not be the most prudent choice to give Joãozinho this Christmas.
