Thermal Driving Assistance in Night, Fog, and Smoke: What Helps Drivers and Operators
31. 10. 2025
Observation and Monitoring Application –Thermal Imaging Solutions
18. 11. 2025The new generation Hecthor II uses the WIRIS Enterprise thermal‑imaging camera
Developers at the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague have introduced the second generation of the tracked rescue robot Hecthor II. This versatile machine assists firefighters, rescuers and the military in situations where direct human intervention would be too risky. The first version of Hecthor has been in use since this spring in Kharkiv in Ukraine, where it serves local firefighters in operations amid buildings damaged by bombing.
The new model brings a range of technical improvements – better tracks, higher payload capacity, longer battery life and simpler operation. The decisive innovation, however, is the integration of the multisensor thermal‑imaging camera Workswell WIRIS® Enterprise, which provides a detailed thermal and visual overview of the scene.
When direct human intervention is too dangerous
In Kharkiv the Hecthor is deployed in sites hit by explosions, where further structural collapse or repeated attack is a threat. Instead of rescuers, remote technology goes into the field – the robot is operated from a distance.
The operator monitors the situation on a screen in real time; thanks to the cameras and thermal‑imaging system, they can direct firefighting efforts, monitor the surroundings and check temperature conditions.
“Hecthor has proven itself,” stated Oleksandr Kovaljov, a specialist in the unmanned‑systems and robotics section of the Kharkiv branch of the State Emergency Service. The robot is connected to a hose line from a tanker or a portable fire pump and is able to intervene safely even in extreme conditions.
How the WIRIS Enterprise thermal‑imaging camera helps
The integration of the Workswell WIRIS® Enterprise camera adds completely new capabilities to the robot. The camera enables not only visual observation but also precise temperature measurement at every point in the image. In practice this is crucial – in fires, in rubble or in environments with dense smoke, ordinary visuals are often insufficient.
Thanks to the radiometric thermal‑imaging sensor, Hecthor II can:
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detect overheated structures or points at risk of collapse,
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monitor heat propagation within a structure and evaluate risks,
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enable remote intervention without endangering the crew.
For operators this means they can make informed decisions – they see not just the shapes and colours of the scene, but the actual temperature values. This enables precise determination of where it is safe to work and where danger is present.
Benefit for firefighters and the military
The WIRIS® Enterprise extends the robot’s capabilities beyond firefighting. Hecthor II can be equipped with a variety of modules – a fire‑fighting monitor (monsoon cannon), a transport platform for the wounded or sensors for reconnaissance and documentation.
The thermal‑imaging system provides overview in any time of day, through smoke, dust or conditions of poor visibility. Military units can utilise the camera’s thermal tracking, risk assessment or navigation capabilities independent of light conditions.
Shared goal: Czech technology for saving lives
The integration of the WIRIS® Enterprise camera into the rescue robot Hecthor II demonstrates that Czech technologies can offer a fully functional and practical solution with direct impact in the field. The thermal‑imaging system helps not only to see better, but primarily to decide better – thereby increasing the safety of rescue teams and the efficiency of operations. The Hecthor robot with the WIRIS® Enterprise camera thus represents a compact, modular and fully electric solution that can assist during fires, in rubble and in war zones.
Looking for More?
The Workswell WIRIS Enterprise is purpose-built for UAV and UGV missions that demand maximum imaging performance and reliability. With exceptional thermal sensitivity, precise radiometric calibration, and a powerful 30× optical zoom, WIRIS Enterprise delivers unparalleled aerial intelligence in inspection, security, and research applications. Whether you’re monitoring infrastructure, assessing solar plants, or enhancing situational awareness in the field, WIRIS Enterprise provides clear, actionable data—even in darkness, smoke, or fog.
Interested in learning more or exploring integration possibilities?
Get in touch with our team—our experts are ready to help you find the perfect configuration to meet your mission requirements.
