EFESTO is an artificial intelligence system, mounted on a drone, that carries out continuous aerial monitoring of forest areas. It is able to predict the development of fires and intercept them. It can send alerts about hazardous situations by sending images and GPS coordinates directly to the smartphone of rescuers and law enforcement.
Technology validated in relevant environment.
Fidelity of breadboard technology increases significantly. The basic technological components are integrated with reasonably realistic supporting elements so they can be tested in a simulated environment. Examples include “high-fidelity” laboratory integration of components.
The solution is based on 2 components: 1) A technology that permits to collect the data coming from different sensors installed on board of a drone, and which allows reliable data transfer on the internet; 2) A remote platform that allows to process the data sent from the drone. The technology was developed by our team and it has been tested and validated by researchers of the University of Catania and then assembled on board of a drone. Data collected during drone flights and in laboratory have shown similar results on operation, reliability and performance. The remote platform has been tested by researchers at the University of Catania using repertoire images. These tests have given excellent results. It was also tested by receiving images sent directly by the drone during flights; results show that there is room for some improvement.

How does it work?

A drone equipped with thermocamera, temperature and humidity sensors, and electronic probe which constantly scours the forest area and transmits a film including GPS coordinates to the artificial intelligence system. When the drone sensors detect abnormal heat sources, smoke or flames, it alerts firefighters via SMS / CALL / MAIL.Through the app, the operator can view the video in real time, evaluate the severity of the situation, identify the location of the event and alert the firefighters. During the fire extinguishing operations, the drone continues to communicate thermal imaging and GPS coordinates of critical areas to the operators in order to optimize an appropriate response.