Indian American’s FireBot in CNN’s ‘Tech for Good’ special

The heat-resistant bot helps locate victims before firefighters enter the scene.

Siddharth Thakur / ece.utexas.edu

Indian American engineer Siddharth Thakur and his invention FireBot, a high-temperature-resistant rescue robot designed to assist firefighters, were recently featured on CNN’s Tech for Good.

Hosted by Kristie Lu Stout, the program profiles global innovators using technology for social impact.

Also Read: Indian-American teen leads AI-driven fight against wildfires

Developed through Thakur’s Austin-based startup Paradigm Robotics, FireBot can navigate burning structures, transmit real-time data, and help locate victims before firefighters enter the scene.

Built to withstand temperatures of up to 1,200°F (around 650°C), the robot is equipped with thermal cameras, gas detectors, radar, and two-way communication systems.

CNN noted that Thakur’s work reflects a growing trend in disaster-response technology, where robotics and artificial intelligence are designed to complement—not replace—human responders.

Thakur began developing FireBot while still in high school in Houston after learning about the limited tools available to firefighters for ens uring their safety.According to reports, FireBot has completed multiple pilot trials across U.S. fire departments and industrial safety units.
Now 25, he serves as the founder and chief executive of Paradigm Robotics. The firm recently secured $3.95 million in seed funding to refine the technology and expand early deployments.

Before founding Paradigm Robotics, he worked as a research assistant at the university’s robotics lab and served as executive director of the Texas RoboRumble competition.

Originally from Wisconsin and raised in Texas, Thakur describes himself as a humanitarian engineer focused on building technology that supports frontline workers. His company’s mission is to enhance firefighter safety by using robotics to assess dangerous environments in advance.

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