Singapore unveils robot to tow fire-hit electric vehicles to safety

Singapore's Civil Defence Force unveiled a new robot called the Vehicle Extrication Robot (VXR) at the Singapore-International Disaster and Emergency Management Expo on October 28, 2026. The robot's main purpose is to help firefighters extract, relocate, and safely transport electric vehicles (EVs) involved in fires. With EVs now making up 57.6% of all new car registrations in the first quarter of 2026, the SCDF is taking measures to prepare for potential fire-related incidents involving these vehicles.

The VXR is designed to operate from up to 300 meters away, allowing firefighters to safely move an affected EV to a location where it won't pose a threat. The robot features an integrated water mist system that protects it from the intense heat generated by a fire. The demonstration video showed the VXR towing an EV, even if the vehicle still had high temperatures after the fire was extinguished.

In such cases, the VXR would be deployed to move the affected vehicle to a safer location, such as an open space away from enclosed parking areas.

Once in a safer area, firefighters would use additional equipment, including unmanned firefighting machines, to cool down the vehicle. The VXR is set to begin operational trials at Punggol Fire Station starting in October 2026 and at Kallang Fire Station in April 2027. This new technology demonstrates the Civil Defence Force's commitment to staying ahead of potential risks and strengthening their capabilities, even in the face of the evolving built environment and new challenges posed by electric vehicles.