Autonomous Machine "Byte" Develops Skills in Managing Forest Fires
In the heart of Germany, at Christian-Albrechts-Universität in Kiel, a groundbreaking research project named "Wildfire Twins" is underway. Led by Sören Pirk, the project aims to equip machines with artificial intelligence (AI) to autonomously combat forest fires within a few years.
The project's long-term vision is to develop autonomous systems that can independently combat fires, much like they currently do in the south of Europe. To achieve this, the researchers are working on mathematical models and building 3D models of individual trees, undergrowth, and grass for a more realistic forest model.
Sören Pirk, who developed the idea for his research project while working for a tech company in the US, believes that AI could provide valuable information about the fire's origin, direction of spread, and presence of people in the area, giving firefighters more time to respond.
The autonomous robot named "Byte" is at the forefront of this development. It is designed to move autonomously through forest fires, collecting data on fires of different intensities at Schleswig-Holstein's state fire service school in Harrislee near Flensburg.
The technology could be used in its final form for vegetation fires, according to Group Leader René Heyse. He also demonstrates how smoke can spread in a fire using a fire container, aiming to understand the fire with the robot.
The AI in the robot needs to learn to interpret the flames, similar to how humans learn not to get too close to a fire. Cameras alone are not enough for the team, as they provide insufficient information about the fire for the machine.
In addition to the "Wildfire Twins" project, AI is increasingly integrated into training and simulation applications for firefighters. These virtual training environments help firefighters practice decision-making and understand complex fire scenarios digitally before real incidents.
AI-powered drones and aerial systems equipped with thermal imaging and smoke detection sensors can autonomously detect and monitor fires in real time. These systems use computer vision and environmental data to identify hotspots, assess fire spread, and even adapt suppression strategies autonomously.
AI-supported fire protection systems also evaluate sensor data, environmental variables, and historical patterns to detect early signs of fire, such as unusual heat or smoke patterns. This capability helps provide precise and rapid situational awareness without exposing firefighters to hazardous conditions.
The project receives EU funding of two million euros and is currently conducting basic research and simulating forest fires in software. The virtual training environment for the autonomous robot "Byte" is expected to be ready in five years.
While AI in firefighting is focused on augmenting human decision-making with enhanced detection, monitoring, training, and operational optimization tools, ethical concerns and public safety standards remain important considerations guiding the deployment of these technologies.
- The 'Wildfire Twins' project, taking place at Christian-Albrechts-Universität in Kiel, Germany, is integrating environmental-science, science, and technology, with a focus on developing artificial-intelligence for autonomously combating forest fires.
- In addition to the 'Wildfire Twins' project, AI-powered drones and aerial systems are being used for real-time fire detection and monitoring, employing computer vision, thermal imaging, and smoke detection sensors.
- As AI advances in firefighting, ethical concerns and public safety standards are critical factors that must be carefully considered to ensure the safe and effective deployment of these technologies.
