The project is aimed at elaboration of novel autonomous camera-based solution, which will be a basis for numerous intelligent data-driven systems for fire rescue applications. The system requires a use of space stepper motors, which possess features highly desired for fire application – reliability, endurance, robustness to environmental conditions and light weight.
Project is possible due to international cooperation of Polish Product Developer SAY Tech Sp. z o.o. and German Space Technology Provider Phytron GmbH. SAY Tech provides services in the field of IT, automation, development of IoT (Internet of Things) solutions and machines, as well as R&D and technical consulting. It cooperates with manufacturing and business sectors, as well as with scientific institutions to elaborate innovative, high-tech solutions. In turn, Phytron is a supplier of specialized equipment in the field of automation solutions for extreme environmental conditions. It was founded in 1947 and possesses over 30 years’ experience in development of space stepper motors, which in this project are the subject of technology transfer from space to non-space application.
As indicated above, the proposed system will be designed for the fire rescue market. Actually, firefighters are using hand thermal cameras to evaluate fire status and temperature distribution within the fire area. It is one of numerous activities conducted during the rescue operation. To support firefighters and decrease probability of inaccurate assessment, the SAY Tech proposes an intelligent camera system, which will provide autonomous identification and monitoring of the most important fire areas. As a result, the safety and accuracy of fire rescue operations will be increased.
The system will conduct autonomous scanning and automatic analysis of the fire area to identify most important points (ROI – Region Of Interest) for evaluation of fire situation. Based on this the system will track the ROI to obtain most valuable information and warn firefighters about dangerous areas or possibility of uncontrolled fire development. First product implementation is planned to be done on the firefighters’ helmets for on-site warning of the rescue team. After the project, further development of the camera-based system and its next implementations will be conducted on robotic platforms.
The FIRE.MONITOR project is implemented and financed as part of the activities of ESA Technology Broker Poland and the ESA Spark Funding Poland program.