New technology for wildfire detection and suppression
Bath-based fire detection company Optect has partnered with Sonic Fire Tech to develop a new wildfire detection and suppression technology, as reported by SETsquared.
This collaboration has led them to the final 30 in the Autonomous Wildfire Response category of the $11m XPRIZE WILDFIRE competition.
The competition challenges teams to autonomously detect and suppress high-risk fires in a 1,000km² area within 10 minutes.
Optect’s solution employs drones for spotting fires and flying robot taxis that deploy fire-extinguishing robo-dogs.
Sonic Fire Tech’s infrasound wildfire suppression technology, demonstrated to extinguish high-temperature wood fires within seconds, is central to this approach.
Geoff Bruder, an ex-NASA engineer and developer of the method, highlighted the technology’s potential: “Our technology can continuously suppress fires for as long as battery power is available without any refuelling or resupply.”
Advancements in flame detection technology
Optect has also recently launched a new flame detection product with a range 5-10 times greater than existing devices.
This product aims to significantly reduce fire risks in both wildfire and industrial settings.
Matthias Jaeger, Chief Technical Officer of Optect, commented on their progress: “The challenge, as with many XPRIZE competitions, is set close to the limit of possible, and in response, we’re pushing technology to the limits too.”
Optect’s advancements have been supported by SETsquared, enabling the company to grow its customer base.
The team is preparing for a live demonstration of their technology in a real-world environment in 2025.
Deploying advanced detection and suppression systems
The Optect XPRIZE Wildfire team is developing comprehensive detection and suppression systems.
Their approach includes airborne loitering detection UAVs equipped with ultra-long-range IR3 sensors, visual, and thermal cameras.
These UAVs will enhance detection speed during critical wildfire conditions.
Ground-based sensors, including long-range IR3 flame sensors and visual cameras, will complement the airborne system, ensuring rapid and reliable detection.
Upon detecting a wildfire, autonomous VTOL UAVs will transport ground robots to the fire site.
These robots, equipped with Sonic Fire Tech’s suppression technology, will navigate complex terrains to target and extinguish fires with precision.
Challenges and future prospects
The combination of advanced detection and suppression technologies aims to address the increasing severity of wildfires, which contribute to up to 20% of global carbon emissions.
Optect’s collaboration with external companies under the team name Optect – Optical Detection is crucial for tackling this issue.
As the severity of wildfires increases, deploying innovative technology becomes essential.
Optect and Sonic Fire Tech’s partnership represents a significant step towards improving wildfire response.
The team remains optimistic about their progress and looks forward to the final round of the XPRIZE competition.
Wildfire detection tech competes in global challenge: Summary
Optect, a Bath-based fire detection company, has partnered with Sonic Fire Tech to develop an advanced wildfire detection and suppression solution.
This technology has advanced to the final 30 in the $11m XPRIZE WILDFIRE competition.
The system includes drones for fire detection and flying robot taxis deploying fire-extinguishing robo-dogs.
Sonic Fire Tech’s infrasound suppression method, developed by ex-NASA engineer Geoff Bruder, can extinguish fires without the need for resupply.
Optect has also introduced a new flame detection product with a significantly increased range.
The team, supported by SETsquared, is preparing for a live demonstration in 2025, aiming to address the growing severity of wildfires globally.