SCDF’s trials new robotic firefighter to handle EV fires

Second Minister for Home Affairs Sim Ann (second from left), accompanied by Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) commisioner Eric Yap (left), unveiling the Vehicle Extrication Robot (VXR), the latest addition to SCDF's fleet of robots, during the Singapore-International Disaster and Emergency Management Expo, held together with the Asian Conference on Disaster Reduction (SIDEX-ACDR 2026) and in conjunction with the Fire Safety Asia Conference (FiSAC), at Singapore Expo Hall 3 on Oct 28, 2026.

VXR offers added safety for fire fighters dealing in EV fires. It can be remotely operated.

Published Oct 28, 2026, 03:33 PM

Updated Oct 28, 2026, 03:33 PM

SCDF launched the Vehicle Extrication Robot, or VXR, to help handle EV fires. It can move a car up to 300 metres away and spray water mist.

Second Minister for Home Affairs Sim Ann said EVs now make up “more than 60 per cent of new vehicle registrations” in Singapore in the first half of 2026. She warned lithium-ion batteries can face thermal runaway and re-ignite.

SCDF will trial the VXR at Punggol and Kallang fire stations from October 2026 and April 2027 respectively. Singapore also plans deeper disaster cooperation with Japan through a new Memorandum of Cooperation.

SINGAPORE – The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) has launched a car-sized robot to deal with electric vehicles (EVs) fires, as figures showing its popularity among car buyers continue to climb.

The vehicle extrication robot (VXR) will allow firefighters to move the affected EV, which is at risk of reigniting after the fire has been extinguished, to a safe spot as they continue their work.

Announcing the launch on Oct 28, Second Minister of Home Affairs Sim Ann noted that EVs accounted for more than 60 per cent of new vehicle registrations in Singapore in the first half of 2026.

Adding that their adoption will continue to grow, she said: “This introduces new challenges for firefighters.

“Lithium-ion batteries can undergo thermal runaway, and affected vehicles may remain at risk of reignition even after a fire has been extinguished.”

A thermal runaway occurs when an uncontrollable chain reaction causes intense heat to be released which results in more materials being ignited.

Sim said the robot is being introduced as SCDF strengthens its EV response capabilities through research and burn tests to develop new fire-safety regulations and operational procedures , supported by specialised equipment.

Speaking at the Singapore-International Disaster & Emergency Management Expo, held at the Singapore Expo, Sim said the VXR can remotely move an affected vehicle to a safer location from up to 300 metres away, giving responders a safer distance from the vehicle during recovery operations.

The robot, which runs on tracks, moves a vehicle by lifting the front wheels. It also blankets the car with a water.

The VXR will start operational trials at Punggol Fire Station in October 2026 and Kallang Fire Station in April 2027 .

Sim also announced at the event, which saw 48 international partner agencies participating in 2026 compared to 32 the previous year, that SCDF has also strengthened its emergency medical services with a new generation ambulance designed as a future-ready mobile clinical workspace.

Over the next three days, over 650 participants from 45 countries will collaborate to exchange knowledge, showcase capabilities and forge partnerships at the event.

Sim shared that the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Cabinet Office of Japan will also deepen cooperation in disaster management technologies and strengthen the exchange of knowledge on disaster management policies, frameworks and best practices.

The event features 103 exhibitors from eight countries showcasing the latest technologies, products and services in disaster management.

Among the exhibits are cooling vests, breathing apparatus systems, protective gear for fire fighters, a high-rise, and a fire-fighting drone from South Korea.

Zaihan Mohamed Yusof is senior crime correspondent at The Straits Times.

Humanitarian aid/Disaster relief

2026年10月28日，在新加坡博览中心3号展厅举行的新加坡国际灾害与应急管理博览会（SIDEX-ACDR 2026）上，新加坡内政部第二部长沈颖（左二）与新加坡民防部队（SCDF）总监叶荣文（左一）共同揭幕了车辆救援机器人（VXR），这是SCDF机器人队伍的最新成员。该博览会与亚洲减灾大会（SIDEX-ACDR 2026）同期举行，并与亚洲消防安全大会（FiSAC）同期举行。

VXR为处理电动汽车火灾的消防员提供了额外的安全保障。它可以远程操作。

发布于 2026 年 10 月 28 日下午 3:33

更新于2026年10月28日下午3:33

新加坡民防部队推出了车辆救援机器人（VXR），用于协助处理电动汽车火灾。它可以将车辆拖出最远300米，并喷洒水雾。

新加坡内政部第二部长沈颖表示，到2026年上半年，电动汽车将占新加坡新车注册量的“60%以上”。她警告说，锂离子电池可能面临热失控和复燃的风险。

新加坡民防部队将分别于2026年10月和2027年4月在榜鹅和加冷消防站试用VXR。新加坡还计划通过新的合作备忘录，与日本深化灾害应对方面的合作。

新加坡——新加坡民防部队（SCDF）推出了一款汽车大小的机器人来处理电动汽车（EV）火灾，数据显示电动汽车在购车者中的受欢迎程度持续攀升。

车辆救援机器人 (VXR) 将使消防员能够将受影响的电动汽车（在火灾扑灭后仍有复燃的风险）转移到安全地点，以便他们继续工作。

10月28日，新加坡内政部第二部长沈颖宣布启动电动汽车计划，并指出，到2026年上半年，电动汽车将占新加坡新车注册量的60%以上。

她补充说，这种做法将会继续发展，并表示：“这给消防员带来了新的挑战。”

“锂离子电池可能会发生热失控，即使火灾扑灭后，受影响的车辆仍可能存在复燃的风险。”

热失控是指无法控制的链式反应释放出强烈的热量，从而导致更多物质被点燃。

Sim表示，新加坡民防部队正在通过研究和燃烧测试来加强其电动汽车响应能力，以制定新的消防安全法规和操作程序，并辅以专用设备，因此引入了这款机器人。

在新加坡博览中心举行的新加坡国际灾害与应急管理博览会上，沈先生表示，VXR 可以远程将受影响的车辆从最远 300 米外移动到更安全的位置，使救援人员在救援行动中与车辆保持更安全的距离。

这款履带式机器人通过抬起前轮来移动车辆，同时还会向车身喷洒水雾。

VXR将于2026年10月在榜鹅消防站开始运行试验，并于2027年4月在加冷消防站开始运行试验。

Sim还在本次活动中宣布，与前一年的32个国际合作伙伴机构相比，2026年将有48个国际合作伙伴机构参与，新加坡民防部队也通过新一代救护车加强了其紧急医疗服务，该救护车被设计成面向未来的移动临床工作空间。

在接下来的三天里，来自 45 个国家的 650 多名参与者将在活动中合作交流知识、展示能力并建立伙伴关系。

Sim表示，日本内政部和内阁府还将深化在灾害管理技术方面的合作，并加强在灾害管理政策、框架和最佳实践方面的知识交流。

本次活动汇聚了来自八个国家的 103 家参展商，展示了灾害管理领域的最新技术、产品和服务。

展品包括降温背心、呼吸器系统、消防员防护装备、一座高层建筑以及来自韩国的消防无人机。

Zaihan Mohamed Yusof 是《海峡时报》的高级犯罪记者。

人道主义援助/灾害救援