Sally Reed
Throwflame, an Ohio-based technology company, has unveiled its newest product: a robotic dog equipped with a flamethrower named “Thermonator.” The robot dog was originally introduced to the public last summer. After a long wait, the rugged four-legged machine is now officially available for sale. For $9,420 this product can be yours!
Product Demo Video Shows Thermonator In Action
The Thermonator is the brainchild of flamethrower manufacturer Throwflame. It is a 26-pound robotic quadruped that has one of the company’s signature ARC flamethrowers mounted on its back.
The product description on the company’s website says, “Thermonator is the first-ever flamethrower-wielding robot dog. This quadruped is coupled with the ARC Flamethrower to deliver on-demand fire anywhere!”
Impressive Features And Performance
To celebrate the product’s debut, Throwflame released a video demonstrating the Thermonator in action as it navigates through a forest and emits flames in different directions.
The robot can emit fire in a powerful 30-foot stream and includes a built-in fuel tank fueled by gasoline. Throwflame states that the robot features a one-hour battery life, a laser sight, lidar mapping, and can be remotely controlled using the company’s app.
Thermonator Uses The Same Design Framework As The Unitree Go1
Accoring to Gizmodo, a science and technology website, the Thermonator seems to be constructed using the same design framework as another quadruped robot – the Unitree Go1.
The website wrote, “Because of the strict EULA that Boston Dynamics enforces with Spot, Thermonator instead appears to be built on the Unitree Go1 quadruped robot, which is much smaller and lighter than Spot, but still includes a variety of cameras and sensors onboard allowing it some level of autonomous navigation when it’s not being operated from a wireless controller.”
Potential Uses Of The Product
Throwflame states that its product is great for “snow and ice removal,” “wildfire control and prevention,” “ecological conservation,” “agriculture management,” and “entertainment and SFX.”
It is obvious that in the wrong hands, the product can also become a tool for committing mass arson.
First-Ever Of Its Kind
The company has dubbed Thermonator, as “the world’s first flamethrower-equipped robot dog.” It is a unique one-of-a-kind product that can be yours if you are willing to shell out $9,420.
Throwflame is offering free shipping, which is a welcome perk when purchasing a fire-spitting robot dog.
Ideal Apocalyptic Pet For A Bilionaire
The Ohio-based company isn’t marketing the Thermonator as a solution to ward off burglars.
However, the Thermonator can be an intriguing choice for a billionaire preparing for doomsday with a personal nuclear bunker and a ‘ring of fire’ moat.
Perfect Item For Those Who Need A Snow Clearing Partner And Entertainer
It is unclear for now how many people will be investing in a flame-throwing robot to use it for clearing snow from their driveway during winter months.
Throwflame also proposes that the Thermonator can be used for special effects and entertainment purposes. It may come in handy to anyone giving some serious thought to their very own backyard Cirque du Soleil.
Hard To Imagine That It Will Stick To Routine Tasks
The company also suggests utilizing the Thermonator for wildfire control or ecological conservation purposes.
However, seeing the eerie grey robot prowling before setting its surroundings ablaze makes it hard to imagine that it will be restricted to performing such routine tasks. It is especially strange to watch the robot dog leap while emitting flames from its Ghostbuster-style backpack.
No Indication Of Speed
So far, there isn’t any clear indication of Thermonator’s speed.
Considering the fact that the robot has a battery life of only one hour, humans may still have some means of defense against a fiery robot.
Elon Musk’s Flamethrower
A few years back, Elon Musk also made headlines for his flamethrower. In 2018, Musk offered an official Boring Company flamethrower that purportedly sold 10,000 units within 48 hours. The product sales sparked controversy because flamethrowers can also serve as weapons. They can also be used to ignite wildfires.
At the time, a spokesperson for the Boring Company told CNET that the company’s flamethrower was “safer than what you can buy right now off-the-shelf on Amazon to destroy weeds. Much like a rollercoaster, this is designed to be thrilling without danger. Dangerous flamethrowers are already regulated and require a permit to own in California.”
Democrat Attempted Blocking Flamethrower Sales in California
Musk faced a considerable amount of criticism for his flamethrower.
Democrat Miguel Santiago attempted to block sales within California stating, “If this is real, I’m outraged and you should be too. If this is a joke, then it’s a terribly insensitive one given that we’re coming off of the worst wildfire season in history. Either way: NOT FUNNY. NOT GONNA HAPPEN.”
Lack of Regulations
Flamethrowers in general are not subject to specific regulations in 48 US states. However, criminal laws and general product liability may still be applicable to their usage and sale.
Flamethrowers are not classified as firearms by federal agencies.
Restrictions In Maryland And California
Maryland has some special restrictions with regards to flamethrowers. In Maryland, owning a flamethrower requires a Federal Firearms License.
In California, flamethrowers cannot have a range of more than 10 feet.
Even Musk Said “A Flamethrower Is A Super Terrible Idea”
Despite the obvious popularity of Musk’s flamethrower, the tech billionaire was quick to point out that “obviously, a flamethrower is a super terrible idea.”
Musk also warned people “definitely don’t buy one … unless you like fun.” Perhaps the same warning can be issued for the Thermonator!
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