The Colossus heavy firefighting robot, developed in collaboration with the Paris Fire Brigade (BSPP), is engineered to redefine firefighting capabilities in extreme environments. This robust robot excels in critical missions such as fire suppression, casualty evacuation, and equipment transport. Notably, during the fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, Colossus showcased its extraordinary resilience and effectiveness, operating under extreme heat conditions for over 10 hours, significantly supporting firefighters in protecting the iconic structure.
Designed for rapid deployment, Colossus can be equipped with multiple interchangeable toolless mission modules, allowing teams to adapt quickly to varying operational needs, whether it’s extinguishing fires, conducting reconnaissance, transporting heavy loads or carrying casualty.
Combining ruggedness, precision, and adaptability, Colossus is at TRL 9 and is currently deployed by multiple fire and rescue services around the world. It represents a concrete example of how robotics can serve public safety, reduce risk for human teams, and deliver efficiency in time-critical missions.
Our mission is to save lives and protect infrastructure by supporting firefighting through advanced robotics. Developed with the Paris Fire Brigade, Colossus operates in the most dangerous environments, enabling firefighters to control it remotely and stay out of harm’s way. It can extinguish fires, clear obstacles, and evacuate casualties, making it a versatile asset in emergency response. Our ambition is to deploy Colossus worldwide, providing emergency teams with a reliable, efficient, and safe solution to fight fires.
Colossus embodies cutting-edge innovation in firefighting robotics through a combination of patented technologies, modular design, and advanced remote operation capabilities. Several patents have been filed to protect unique technical solutions integrated into Colossus, underscoring its originality and technical sophistication.
Equipped with multiple HD cameras and a high-precision thermal camera, Colossus delivers real-time, high-quality visual feedback, enabling operators to remotely pilot the robot with situational awareness close to the heart of the fire. This remote operation is facilitated by a rugged tablet interface designed for use with gloves, allowing seamless control without needing direct touchscreen interaction. Operators can manage the high-pressure water cannon remotely, adjust its trajectory precisely, and monitor multiple camera feeds simultaneously.
The robot is full electric thanks to six custom-made batteries produced in-house by Shark Robotics. This in-house production allows strict quality control and ensures the batteries’ high resistance to heat and vibrations, which is essential for reliable performance in extreme firefighting conditions. This system guarantees high autonomy in critical features for indoor interventions.
Its modular architecture supports quick, tool-free swapping of mission-specific modules, such as smoke extractors, extinguishing fire, transport equipment or rescue casualties, allowing adaptation to diverse operational scenarios within minutes.
Together, these innovations position Colossus as a revolutionary tool that enhances firefighter safety, operational efficiency, and adaptability in complex, high-risk environments.
Firefighters face life-threatening environments daily — intense heat, toxic smoke, risk of explosion, and structural collapse. Beyond immediate dangers, repeated exposure also poses serious long-term health risks, making many interventions impossible, too dangerous, or severely limited for human responders.
Colossus addresses these challenges by acting as a powerful force multiplier on the ground, with a wide range of operational capabilities, including:
Navigating complex terrains, climbing stairs, and passing through standard doors to access interior fire.
Clearing debris and obstacles to open safe paths for rescue teams and firefighting operations.
Delivering large volumes of water or foam via high-pressure onboard monitors with precise remote control.
Transporting vital equipment or evacuating injured people safely from hazardous zones.
Providing continuous, real-time situational awareness through an array of embedded thermal and HD cameras, giving operators a comprehensive view even in zero-visibility conditions.
Operating remotely in extreme environments, maintaining functionality where human presence is unsafe or impossible
By extending the physical and operational reach of firefighters, Colossus reduces their exposure to danger, lowers fatigue, and accelerates response times. It ensures critical continuity during emergencies, allowing human teams to retreat, regroup, or re-strategize without losing control of the situation.
Shark Robotics is a French industrial SME founded in 2016, with over 70 employees specialized in mission-critical ground robots. Our multidisciplinary team of engineers, technicians, and business experts designs and manufactures robust, field-tested robots. With 90% of sales abroad, we co-develop solutions with end-users to ensure safety, efficiency, and operational relevance.
Shark Robotics is a French industrial SME founded in 2016, with over 70 employees specialized in mission-critical ground robots. Our multidisciplinary team of engineers, technicians, and business experts designs and manufactures robust, field-tested robots. With 90% of sales abroad, we co-develop solutions with end-users to ensure safety, efficiency, and operational relevance.