Autonomous Drones for Firefighting

The Escalating Threat of Wildfires

Wildfires are a growing global crisis, devastating ecosystems, communities, and economies. Their unpredictable nature and increasing frequency demand a smarter, safer, and more effective response.

7,997 More Fires

Increase in annual US wildfires in 2022 compared to 2020.

7.6 Million Acres

of US land were burned by wildfires in 2022 alone.

1.76 Billion Tons

of CO2 emissions were created by wildfires globally in 2021.

The Challenge with Current Methods

Traditional aerial firefighting, while vital, faces significant challenges. Manned aircraft are expensive, with a tanker costing over $6,000 per hour. They often have delayed response times and their drop accuracy is reduced by smoke, terrain, and weather conditions, putting pilots' lives at risk.

Our project aims to augment these efforts, providing a rapid, precise, and cost-effective first line of defense.

A New Frontier in Firefighting

We propose a fleet of Autonomous, Biodegradable, Self-sacrificing (ABS) drones. This system is designed to provide rapid deployment of fire retardant, creating crucial firebreaks and slowing a wildfire's spread before traditional aerial support arrives.

Autonomous Biodegradable Self-sacrificing (ABS) Drones

Rapid Response

Deployed from fire engines or watchtowers, our drones can be on-scene in minutes, a critical time-saver when wildfires can travel up to 14 mph.
Surgical Precision

Small and maneuverable, drones can navigate obstacles like trees and power lines to deliver retardant at precise, low-altitude locations, increasing effectiveness.
Enhanced Safety

The self-sacrificing design eliminates the need for complex release mechanisms and removes pilots and crew from the most dangerous, low-visibility zones.
Cost-Effective

Designed for single-use and mass production, these drones reduce operational costs and the financial burden associated with expensive manned aircraft.

I interviewed Capt Centoni from Alameda County Fire (Pictured) as part of my research.

Deployment Strategy

1

Arrival & Detection

A fire engine carrying a fleet of ABS drones arrives at the wildfire scene.

2

Launch Fleet

Pre-programmed drones are released, each carrying a payload of fire retardant.

3

Strategic Positioning

The drone swarm encircles the fire or covers a strategic section based on satellite data.

4

Self-Sacrifice

Drones crash at designated points, deploying their retardant to create a firebreak.

5

Repeat & Support

The process is repeated as needed to contain the fire until larger air tankers arrive.

Core Technologies

Biodegradable Materials

The drone's chassis is designed with materials like mycelium (fungal threads), which are 100% biodegradable and fire-resistant. This minimizes environmental impact after the drone's single-use mission.

Aqueous Ion Batteries

Instead of flammable traditional lithium-ion batteries, we use safer, water-based aqueous lithium-ion batteries. They are non-flammable upon impact, environmentally friendly, and provide sufficient power for short-duration missions.

Satellite Integration

Using satellite data (like NASA's SMAP), drones can be guided autonomously with real-time adjustments based on fire spread, wind conditions, and terrain. This also allows for preemptive analysis of high-risk areas.

Using Self-sacrificing Drones to Combat Wildfires