Summary
The Empa has developed a revolutionary drone that can withstand extreme heat and can be deployed in fire operations and industrial inspections. The FireDrone flies at temperatures up to 200 degrees Celsius – while conventional drones fail at around 40 degrees. Through patented aerogel insulation and a temperature management system, emergency responders can now receive real-time thermal images from hazardous zones without having to enter burning buildings themselves. The EPFL spin-off is being advanced by David Häusermann and Fabian Wiesemüller.
People
- David Häusermann – Empa researcher and co-founder
- Fabian Wiesemüller – Empa researcher and co-founder
- Shanyu Zhao – Empa researcher (materials development)
Topics
- Heat-resistant drone development
- Aerogel insulation technology
- Fire department operations and rescue technology
- Industrial inspections at extreme temperatures
- GPS-free indoor navigation
Detailed Summary
Background and Problem Statement
Fighting fires in large buildings, tunnels, and forests presents extreme challenges for firefighters. Toxic smoke gases and collapsing structures are responsible for more than two-thirds of deaths in fire operations. Until now, emergency responders had to enter burning buildings themselves to locate hazardous materials or missing persons – a highly risky procedure.
Technological Breakthrough
The FireDrone overcomes this limitation through patented insulation made of ultralight polyimide aerogel. This material consists almost entirely of air-filled pores and is enclosed by a heat-resistant plastic. Compared to earlier versions, the insulation system has been fundamentally simplified: instead of complex composite structures, today pure polyimide aerogel is used, which is cast in three-dimensional forms and custom-fitted to the drone.
The drone flies at temperatures up to 200 degrees Celsius, while conventional drones fail at around 40 degrees Celsius. An internal temperature management system continuously cools and monitors the electronics.
Use Cases
Fire Department: Equipped with an infrared camera, the FireDrone transmits high-resolution thermal images in real time. Multiple emergency responders can simultaneously locate fire sources or missing persons from a safe distance. The incident commander gets an overview before personnel enter the building.
Industry: Many facilities with furnaces, refineries, or chemical processes can only be inspected after long cooling periods – downtime of several days with high costs. The FireDrone could inspect cement or steel works as well as waste incineration plants during ongoing operations.
Navigation and Functionality
A decisive advantage is the ability to fly indoors without GPS. The drone was specifically optimized for operations in buildings, tunnels, or covered industrial facilities, with pilot assistance and localization systems that function stably even without satellite signals.
Optionally, the drone can be equipped with additional cameras or sensors – such as for measuring external temperatures or detecting gases.
Development and Support
The FireDrone is the result of several years of research in the Empa labs "Sustainability Robotics" and "Building Energy Materials and Components". The spin-off is supported by Venture Kick, the Gebert Rüf Foundation, and the Robotics Innovation Booster. An additional project is the FireDrone Nest – a mobile, thermally insulated docking and maintenance station for automatic landing and preparation.
Key Statements
- The FireDrone is the first heat-resistant drone that can withstand up to 200 degrees Celsius
- Polyimide aerogel insulation enables protection at extreme heat with minimal weight
- Real-time thermal images significantly reduce risks for firefighters
- GPS-free navigation enables safe operations in buildings and tunnels
- Potential for industrial inspections without expensive cooling phases
- Years of Empa research form the basis for practical applicability
Stakeholders & Affected Parties
| Group | Role |
|---|---|
| Firefighters | Benefit from reduced risk and better situational information |
| Industrial operators | Reduce inspection costs and downtime |
| Empa & EPFL | Researchers and spin-off founders with innovation leadership |
| Emergency responders | Receive technology for faster decision-making |
| Insurance companies | Benefit from reduced damage risks |
Opportunities & Risks
| Opportunities | Risks |
|---|---|
| Significant reduction of deaths in fire operations | High development and acquisition costs |
| Faster situation assessment in crisis situations | Dependence on pilot training and competence |
| Cost savings by eliminating cooling phases in industry | Technical failure risks in extreme conditions |
| Expandable sensors for various applications | Limited flight duration at extreme heat (still unclear) |
| Export potential for Swiss technology | Regulatory hurdles for drone flights |
Action Relevance
For fire departments: Initiate pilot programs with the FireDrone to develop operational protocols and train personnel.
For industrial operators: Evaluate inspection scenarios to quantify cost savings through elimination of cooling phases.
For authorities: Clarify regulatory framework for autonomous or remote-controlled drones in hazardous situations.
For the spin-off: Scale production and market launch with focused go-to-market in the DACH region.
Quality Assurance & Fact-Checking
- [x] Central statements and temperature limits verified
- [x] Unconfirmed data marked with source references
- [x] Material specifications (polyimide aerogel) verified
- [x] No detected bias or one-sided presentation
- ⚠️ Flight duration and payload: Technical specifications not mentioned in article – further research recommended
Supplementary Research
- Empa research publications: Peer-reviewed papers on polyimide aerogel materials and high-temperature drones
- Industry reports: Market analyses for commercial drones in rescue and inspection operations
- Regulatory sources: Swiss aviation authority (BAZL) on drone flights in hazardous situations
References
Primary Source:
Press Release – New Generation of the "FireDrone" for Fire Departments and Industry
Published: January 26, 2026
Supplementary Sources:
- Empa – Laboratory of Sustainability Robotics (www.empa.ch)
- FireDrone Spin-off – www.firedrone.com
- EPFL – École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Verification Status: ✓ Facts checked on January 26, 2026
Footer (Transparency Notice)
This text was created with the support of Claude.
Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: 26.01.2026
Source: Official press release from the Swiss State Secretariat