‘Thermonator’ proves Americans’ idea of self-defence is increasingly unhinged
Americans are big on the right to defend property as per their beloved constitution, but is a flame-throwing robot dog taking it a step too far?
Well, it could be the future now the ‘Thermonator’ is here.
Built by Throwflame and a bargain at just $9,420 (£7,610), this nightmare-inducing robot is capable of blasting jets of fire up to ten metres, possibly after honing in on a target using its laser sight.
Of course, the Ohio-based fire isn’t advertising the Thermonator as a means of warding off burglars – even if it is the perfect apocalypse pet for a billionaire with a nuclear bunker surrounded by a ‘ring of fire’ moat.
No, obviously anyone who spends thousands on a flame-throwing robot needs it to clear snow from their driveway in the winter months.
Throwflame also suggests it can be used for entertainment or special effects, so handy if you were planning on starting up a rival to Cirque du Soleil in the back garden.
It also recommends using the Thermonator for wildfire control and prevention or ecological conservation, but watching the creepy grey robot stalk through a before torching its surroundings, it’s hard to imagine this robot will be used only for such mundane jobs.
Especially watching it jump while shooting flames from its Ghostbuster-style backpack.
However, there’s no indication (yet) of how fast it can move, and its battery only lasts an hour, so humans might still have some defence against these fiery horros.
Speaking of defence, Throwflame is also offering them for sale to the US military, which has famously snowy drives and loves maintaining forests.
Let’s forget its aims to have more autonomous war robots than human soldiers in the next few years…