Dr. Kamran Mahroof from the University of Bradford recently presented groundbreaking research on wildfire detection at a conference in Birmingham. That conversation highlighted some key elements of a bold new pilot program. It employs cutting edge technology, like robotic dogs and aerial drones, to create stronger situational awareness for first responders in the fight against wildfires.
Wildfires are now affecting areas such as West Yorkshire more severely than ever before. Places like Marsden Moor and Ilkley Moor have been the scene of many fires in recent weeks. Dr. Mahroof emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue, stating, “Wildfires are a global phenomenon and have been increasing in frequency and intensity in recent years.” This growing escalation requires new, creative solutions to identify and fight wildfires with greater speed and precision.
That collaborative research project, called 6G-VERSUS, won funding earlier this year from the EU’s Horizon Innovation Action programme. The project’s goal is to hold test runs for the new 6G technology, which is expected to improve coordination and information-sharing during crises like hurricanes and wildfires. Dr. Mahroof noted, “The whole idea for us is to identify wildfires as soon as possible.”
During the conference, Dr. Mahroof explained how the 6G-VERSUS project will leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze real-time camera feeds. This enhanced monitoring system will leverage the speed of 6G links to transmit real-time critical data to first responders. “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,” he elaborated.
Next year’s pilot program will be headed by Dr. Konstantinos Katsaros and Dr. Lazaros Karagiannidis. They hail from the Greek-based Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS). They will deploy the new robotic dog-drone combination system that’s meant to improve overall operational efficiency and effectiveness while responding to wildfires.
The West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) has been forward-thinking in not only responding to wildfire incidents but by taking steps to prevent them. The service employs all-terrain vehicles to navigate challenging terrain and utilizes mapping tools alongside weather forecasting applications to predict fire behavior. As another example, WYFRS has developed lightweight personal protective equipment for firefighters involved in extended operations.
WYFRS has been encouraged by these recent developments. Secondly, they can reach out to Dr. Mahroof’s team to understand how they can learn more about this formative technology. Dr. Mahroof expressed pride in leading research that tackles such a pressing global challenge: “We are immensely proud to be at the forefront of research addressing this pressing global challenge.”