What you see is the SCBA, or self-contained breathing apparatus. I have no idea what the acronym is to be pronounced, but I'm assuming it's not like diving (that is, if you do not know, an acronym for autonomous breathe under water).

The SCBA is designed for firefighters breathe, to help them in the rooms, the toxic smoke. It can connect to a compressed air bottle on the shoulder with a retractable air hose.

I must admit that the ARA seems much easier than what I saw on the firefighters. It also has a voice amplifier, while one firefighter yelled: “Is anyone here” can be heard. It also has a flashlight and a HUD.

It kind of reminds me of the mask that Liam Neeson was wearing when he played al Ghul in “Batman Begins” Ra. It also reminds me of Han, Leia, Chewie, and carried in The Empire Strikes Back, when she landed huge asteroid within the. I always wondered about that scene. I mean, if, within an asteroid that they had entered into a huge tunnel, then they are technically still in the room, right? I think they would need more protection than just something that looks like a gas mask. I guess George Lucas does not want to do that scene with space suits from head to toe.

Anyway, the ARA simple concept for now, but I can easily see, the fire department of the future.