Systems and methods for improving efficiency of firefighting robots

A method comprising:

• deploying a robot to fight a fire with water from a water source, the robot being connected to the water source through at least first and second hoses that receive the water from the water source, the first hose being attached to an inlet of the robot and from the inlet directly hangs downward onto a surface on which the robot moves, the second hose being connected in series between the first hose and the water source, the robot having a maneuvering mode in which the robot moves on the surface by self propulsion and during which time the first and second hoses are dragged behind the robot so as to result in frictional forces between the first and second hoses and the surface on which the robot is moving, the robot having an extinguishing mode in which the water passes to the robot through the first and second hoses and through at least a first valve unit that couples the first hose to the second hose;
• controlling the robot and the first valve unit such that the water is provided to the robot through the second hose, the first valve unit and the first hose when the robot is in the extinguishing mode and discharging the water from the water source toward a fire;
• and
• controlling the robot and the first valve unit such that the robot is prevented from receiving the water from the water source through the first valve unit and the water is drained from the first hose through the first valve unit but the first valve does not drain the water from the second hose when the robot is in the maneuvering mode and dragging the first hose behind the robot.