Training for Colossus robot operators took place in February. We trained 20 new instructors to operate and train operators for the COLOSSUS electric firefighting robots by Shark Robotics. The training was divided into two days.
Since it was instructor training, we went really in depth. On the first day we went through the complete theory of the features of the robot and its accessories. However, the often “unfun” theory was completely changed in nature by additional questions from the participants themselves. After more than 3 hours of theory, we moved to the courtyard where we tested the basic movement and control of the robot.
More interesting, however, was the second day, where we presented the instructors themselves with difficult tasks and the often limiting technical capabilities of the machines themselves. The instructors tried out the correct technique of driving the robot forward and backward, learning the weight and behaviour of the robot when traversing the first and last steps.
The University of Žilina provided us with perfect training facilities, thanks to which we had the opportunity to try moving in very confined spaces and the help of a winch when climbing stairs that bordered on a 40-degree inclination.
At the end of the training, each pair was given one last task and that was to disassemble all the accessories from the robot and reassemble it. This task was to demonstrate the ability to modify the robot within tens of seconds for a different kind of use. All instructors mastered this task and we were able to successfully end two days full of new knowledge ready for real use of the robot in interventions.
