The 6G-VERSUS research project, a European Union-funded initiative, aims to change the way we detect wildfires by incorporating cutting-edge technology. This trailblazing project was awarded EUR 4.3 million from the European Union’s Horizon Innovation Action programme earlier this year. Specifically, it seeks to increase situational awareness for first responders working in the front-lines of wildfires.
The smart crossing project harnesses a cool newish tech combo of robotic dogs and aerial drones. This configuration provides all real-time information and greatly improves response time to an incident. In the coming year, IRTI team members Dr. Konstantinos Katsaros and Dr. Lazaros Karagiannidis will each be taking the reins on leading the development of this initiative’s Greek pilot. They are both members of the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS).
Backing this initiative, the University of Bradford team led by Dr Kamran Mahroof are central to the European 6G-VERSUS project.
Wildfires are a worldwide threat and have become more frequent and intense over the past several years,” said Dr. Mahroof. He emphasized the project’s goal, saying, “The whole idea for us is to identify wildfires as soon as possible.”
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) has seen the rise in wildfires across their own region. They’re particularly passionate about areas such as Marsden Moor and Ilkley Moor. The 6G-VERSUS project recently made headlines at an event in Birmingham. Attendees participated in a number of exciting conversations focused on using artificial intelligence to address some of the world’s most urgent challenges.
The innovative system will utilize mapping tools and weather forecasting applications to predict fire behavior, thereby enabling quicker identification and response to wildfires. “By applying AI to interpret real-time camera feeds and using 6G links to relay the data, we can help teams quickly identify people at risk and deploy resources where they’re needed most, all while keeping responders safe,” the team explained.
New lightweight wildfire personal protective equipment has been introduced to assist firefighters during prolonged operations. This is an important step in a larger effort to assure better protections are in place for safety workers on the front lines.
In 2024, the pilot will continue to progress in Greece. We’re very much looking forward to working with WYFRS and partners in this research to understand more about this innovative technology.
