Led by the SNS-JU 6G-VERSUS research project, ongoing efforts in AI-powered wildfire detection and response are making strides. It draws on the latest technology, powered with support from the European Union’s Horizon Innovation Action programme. The initiative focuses on developing a combined system of robotic dogs and aerial drones designed to significantly improve situational awareness for first responders battling wildfires.
Recently, national experts convened Birmingham to highlight national innovative research. They delved into ways in which artificial intelligence (AI) can help address some of the world’s most urgent challenges. One of those expert witnesses was Dr. Kamran Mahroof from the University of Bradford, who emphasized the growing challenge posed by wildfires.
Climate change has brought wildfires to the forefront, as they are a global phenomenon that have spread and worsened over the past few years. Dr. Mahroof stated during his presentation. He emphasized the urgency of the project, saying, “We are immensely proud to be at the forefront of research addressing this pressing global challenge.”
The West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has been actively involved in the initiative by utilizing all-terrain vehicles to combat wildfires effectively. Together, they created new mapping tools and weather forecasting applications to better model fire behavior. Most recently, the service deployed lightweight personal protective equipment for firefighters, improving their safety while responding to these emergencies.
We were fortunate to hear from Dr. Mahroof about the project’s goals for this coming pilot in Greece next year. Dr. Konstantinos Katsaros and Dr. Lazaros Karagiannidis of the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS) in Greece will spearhead this pilot. Their knowledge and know-how will propel the project.
“In the Greek pilot of SNS-JU 6G-VERSUS, we’re developing a combined robotic dog and aerial drone system that boosts situational awareness for first responders during wildfires,” said Dr. Mahroof. He told Smart Cities Dive that the specific application of AI will be the most important aspect in interpreting real-time camera feeds.
We leverage AI both to analyze the real-time camera feeds and 6G links to transmit actionable data. This coordinated approach allows first teams to rapidly pinpoint individuals most at risk and direct resources to where they can make the biggest impact, all while protecting responders’ safety. He noted.
The winning University of Bradford team will get to go to Greece next year. They will be doing test and trials on state-of-the-art 6G technologies as part of this crucial research project.