Firefighting in Australia this summer is about to get a little high-tech help.

A turbine-aided firefighting robot, otherwise known as the TAF 20, will be on the front line in New South Wales (NSW) after it was unveiled Thursday in Sydney by the Minister for Emergency Services David Elliott and Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Greg Mullins.

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Image: NSW Government

Among its range of robotic capabilities, the TAF 20 can shoot a stream of water at 90 metres (295 feet), as well as spray foam or mist at 60 metres (197 feet). In addition, the TAF 20 has a high-powered fan able to clear smoke from a room.

"It can be remotely operated up to 500 metres (1,640 feet) away and sent into situations where it is too dangerous for firefighters, which is a huge advantage as the safety of firefighters is my highest priority," Mullins said in an emailed statement. "It also has a bulldozer blade which can clear obstacles like cars during a tunnel incident, or debris following an explosion."

Image: Fire and Rescue NSW

According to Mullins, the robot, for which the state paid A$310,000 (US$222,131), will be kept in Alexandria, ready to be deployed across the state.

"This puts Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters ahead of the game when it comes to managing hazardous fires and other emergencies where firefighters cannot safely approach the flames, for example when there is a danger of explosion," Elliot added.

Not all new technologies works well with fire, however. In October, the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority issued a warning that recreational drone users flying near bushfires could face fines for disrupting rescue efforts and putting firefighting aircraft at risk.