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Fires: artificial intelligence, a new ally in the fight against fires
Fires: artificial intelligence, a new ally in the fight against fires
(France 2)
Drones and artificial intelligence could play a role in fire prevention and allow firefighters to intervene as quickly as possible. Trials are underway in Aude.
For two years, the Aude firefighters have been experimenting with an autonomous drone equipped with artificial intelligence (AI). By covering a previously programmed area, it can detect the start of a fire. As soon as it spots smoke artificially created by the firefighters, the device heads in its direction to confirm the start of a fire. Once located, the drone sends the GPS position of the fire zone.
This artificial intelligence specializing in fire prevention was developed by a Toulouse company, and is based on heat variations. The AI intervenes in areas that have already burned, where fires frequently break out again. The drone can crisscross and analyze 700 hectares in less than a minute instead of a dozen firefighters posted on surveillance.
If the machine is operational, it will cost around 15,000 euros, and dozens of them would be needed. For the time being, neither the State nor the Aude department have given the green light.
