Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a jet of fire projected towards you by a flame-throwing robot dog, which you can own for a mere $10,000.
The Thermonator, as it is aptly named, is now available for purchase for $9,420, and looks like it could belong in a Robocop movie. Unsurprisingly, the device comes with a few warnings.
Ohio-based Throwflame is available in every state, except for Maryland, even though flamethrowers are not federally regulated and are not classified as firearms by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). A smaller version is sent to those in California, resulting in an operational range of less than 10 feet due to state regulations.
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Possessing or using a flamethrower in Maryland is punishable by a $250,000 fine and up to 25 years imprisonment.
The flame is fueled by either gasoline or napalm. The machine includes a one-hour battery life, can project flames up to 30 feet, and features Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities for smartphone remote control – and not for streaming Rambo at the same time.
It also comes equipped with a LIDAR sensor for mapping and obstacle detection, laser sighting, and first-person view (FPV) navigation via an onboard camera. The product includes a version of the Unitree Go2 quadruped robot, which is sold separately for $1,600 in its basic configuration.
The company does not market it as a modern-day weapon, but instead promotes the flame-throwing robot for its utility in wildfire control, agricultural management, entertainment, and ice removal. And of course, for setting things on fire.
The Cleveland firm released the first-ever full-sized, commercially available flamethrower in 2015, which shoots flames up to 50 feet.
“This unregulated flamethrower sparked a significant media response relating to legality,” Throwflame shared on its website.
“However, flamethrowers remain federally unregulated. This means anyone can buy one without background checks or a waiting period.”
How people reacted to the flame-throwing robot dog
Predictably, social media was awash with comparisons to the “Metalhead” episode from the fourth season of Black Mirror. The Agile Mobile Robot from Boston Dynamics bears a striking resemblance to the machine, and it was initially the robot that drew parallels with Metalhead.
The episode explores the chilling possibilities of these machines turning against us, showcasing a desperate struggle for survival in a world where robotic dogs can outrun and outthink humans.
User Rob Sheppe wrote on X: “Some real-life Black Mirror ‘Metalhead’ terror right here. How is this legal? The target market appears to be psycho killers and militia who want to take out a playground or a protest march. There is no legitimate use for a flamethrower robot dog.”
Some real-life Black Mirror "Metalhead" terror right here. How is this legal? The target market appears to be psycho killers and militia who want to take out a playground or a protest march. There is no legitimate use for a flamethrower robot dog.????https://t.co/HYypsypscD
— Rob Sheppe (@robsheppe) April 23, 2024
While the fittingly named DG Burns said: “Just what the world needs, robots with flamethrowers.”
well then… just what the world needs, robots with flamethrowers…. ???????????? pic.twitter.com/ObUsht7VbJ
— DGBurns (@davidgburns) April 24, 2024
Timothy Imholt added: “I kind of want to just to see if there is any kind of paperwork or checks on who I am.”
Available to the public? So I can order a flamethrower bot?
I kind of want to just to see if there is any kind of paperwork or checks on who I am. https://t.co/EDNdusc6tx
— Timothy Imholt (@TimothyImholt) April 23, 2024
In 2015, Congress proposed a bill that aimed to regulate flamethrowers in the same manner as machine guns, but the legislation stalled and was eventually dismissed.
The European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) only recently unveiled their new best friend: a robot called the CERNquadbot. The four-legged robot is reported to have successfully completed its first radiation protection test — and it passed with flying, radioactive colors.
Featured image: Throwflame
