In Germany, Dryad Networks, a company specializing in early wildfire detection, has introduced the Silvaguard drone. Equipped with artificial intelligence, the drone is designed to speed up the detection, localization, and monitoring of forest fires. The technology was showcased in Eberswalde, near Berlin. The development of this drone was driven by the increasing number of wildfires caused by extreme heat and climate change.
The drone will transmit infrared images and operate alongside the Silvanet wildfire detection system, which Dryad Networks previously developed and has already been deployed in several countries. Silvanet is designed to detect wildfires in their smoldering stage, using solar-powered gas sensors connected via a wireless network. These sensors can cover an area roughly the size of a football field and can be attached directly to trees.
Once the Silvanet system detects a fire, it is expected to automatically deploy a nearby Silvaguard drone. The drone will fly to the detected location and capture detailed images. It can provide both infrared and optical video footage from the fire site.
“We witnessed the integration of Silvanet—solar-powered gas sensors that detected a fire within minutes—with Silvaguard, the first prototype of an AI-driven autonomous drone that we deployed in response,” said Carsten Brinkschulte, CEO and co-founder of Dryad Networks.
The drone has demonstrated its effectiveness by not only reaching the sensor-detected fire location but also transmitting critical data to emergency responders. The information includes geographic coordinates, video footage, and infrared images, helping firefighters assess the scale of the fire, its spread, and intensity. This data is crucial in determining the necessary resources and personnel for containment.
Dryad Networks is currently awaiting regulatory approval for the commercial deployment of the Silvaguard drone. Carsten Brinkschulte emphasized the importance of rapid response in wildfire situations, as every moment can be critical.
Earlier this year, a series of wildfires broke out in the Los Angeles metropolitan area and surrounding regions. The fires were intensified by low humidity, prolonged drought, and strong Santa Ana winds. Within a few days, thousands of homes were destroyed, including those belonging to musicians, actors, and politicians.
Source: apnews
