A new European Union–funded, 6G-VERSUS research project hopes to radically change the way we track and mitigate wildfires. It will do all that through some really exciting and innovative technology trials. The project puts to work perhaps the most versatile and powerful system in the world, robotic dogs paired with aerial drones. This configuration increases situational awareness for incident responders fighting wildfires. The research team, headed by Dr. Kamran Mahroof, is set to travel to Greece in 2021. They will be testing their ideas in pilot trials together with Dr. Konstantinos Katsaros and Dr. Lazaros Karagiannidis from the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS).
Given the immense impact that wildfires can have on both fragile ecosystems and developing human settlements, enhanced wildfire detection is imperative. The 6G-VERSUS project seeks to identify these fires as soon as possible, utilizing cutting-edge technology that combines the agility of robotic dogs with the aerial capabilities of drones. This holistic, coordinated approach is designed to give first responders the knowledge they need of fire behavior to ensure operational effectiveness and efficiency.
The project was recently featured at an event in Birmingham, which focused on the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in addressing global challenges. Yet the event illuminated the extraordinary potential of 6G technology. It blazed its practical applications — such as its work on wildfire detection and response.
The project was awarded funding through an open call from the European Union’s Horizon Innovation Action programme earlier this year. This support served to further underscore the project’s critical impact in environmental stewardship and safety. The West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) has been especially watchful for the progress of this project. They could get in touch with the University of Bradford team for detailed insights.
The fire service is on the front lines of adopting new technologies. Yet at the same time, they are still using these archaic mapping tools and weather forecasting applications to precisely predict fire behavior. These approaches are key in developing the best strategies for fighting wildfire events.
Additionally, cutting-edge, pro-active initiatives have been rolled out to better equip firefighters working on the front lines of this crisis. New, lighter-weight personal protective equipment is being used to protect workers. It increases operator long term comfort on extended operations in arduous conditions.
