Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a beam of fire projected at you by a flame-throwing robot dog that you can own for just $10,000.
The Thermonator, as it’s aptly named, is available now for $9,420 and looks like it belongs in a Robocop movie. Unsurprisingly, the device comes with some warnings.
Based in Ohio, Throwflame is available in every state except Maryland, although 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 being shipped to customers in California, resulting in a range of less than 10 feet due to state regulations.
Possession or use of a flamethrower in Maryland is punishable by a $250,000 fine and up to 25 years in prison.
The flame is powered by either gasoline or napalm. The machine has an hour of battery life, can project flames up to 30 feet, and has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities for smartphone remote control — not for streaming Rambo at the same time.
It is also equipped with a LIDAR sensor for mapping and obstacle detection, laserization and first-person view (FPV) navigation via an integrated camera. The product includes a version of the Unitree Go2 four-legged robot, which is sold separately in its basic configuration for $1,600.
The company is not marketing it as a modern weapon, but is instead promoting the flamethrower robot for its usefulness in fighting forest fires, agricultural management, entertainment and ice removal. And of course for setting things on fire.
The Cleveland company released the first large-scale, commercially available flamethrower in 2015, which shoots flames up to 50 feet (15 meters).
“This unregulated flamethrower generated significant media coverage regarding its legality,” Throwflame said on its website.
“However, flamethrowers remain unregulated federally. This means anyone can buy one without a background check or wait.”
How people reacted to the flame-throwing robot dog
As you might expect, social media is abuzz with comparisons to the “Metalhead” episode from Black Mirror’s fourth season. Boston Dynamics’ Agile Mobile Robot bears a striking resemblance to the machine, and it was originally the robot that drew parallels to Metalhead.
The episode explores the frightening possibilities that these machines bring when they turn against us, depicting a desperate fight for survival in a world where robot dogs can outrun and outdo humans.
User Rob Sheppe wrote on X: “There’s real Black Mirror ‘metalhead’ terror here. How is this legal? The target group appears to be psycho killers and militia members who want to paralyze a playground or a protest march. There is no legitimate use for a flamethrower robot dog.”
There’s real Black Mirror “metalhead” terror here. How is this legal? The target group appears to be psycho killers and militia members who want to paralyze 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 aptly 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 just want to see if there’s any paperwork or controls on who I am.”
Open to the public? So I can order a flamethrower bot?
I kind of just want to see if there is any documentation or verification of 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 way as machine guns, but the legislation stalled and was ultimately defeated.
The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) recently introduced its new best friend: a robot called CERNquadbot. According to reports, the four-legged robot successfully completed its first radiation protection test – and passed it with flying colors and radioactive colors.
Featured Image: Throwflame