Researchers Creating Drones with Artificial Intelligence to Help Firefighters

Human-computer interaction researchers at NJIT and Israel's Ben-Gurion University are exploring how AI-enabled drones could communicate with people at the scene, so that firefighters can save more lives and property.

Firefighters already use drones because they can go where people can't, while human controllers are located someplace safe. But if the drones could get a dose of autonomy, through the clever use of artificial intelligence software, then their usefulness could be interactive rather than only serving as flying cameras and heat sensors.

Investigations into the feasibility and ultimate use of such technology are being performed by Yvette Wohn, associate professor of informatics at NJIT’s Ying Wu College of Computing, and Jessica Cauchard, assistant professor of industrial engineering and management at Ben-Gurion.

Wohn will consider how drones can help civilians in risky situations. She'll look at issues related to drone-human communication, victim health status and emergency supply delivery. Cauchard will focus on understanding the current role of drones in firefighting teams and what the capabilities could be in the next generation of drone technology.

"Dr. Cauchard and I have known each other for a long time since we were students. We met by being student volunteers at academic conferences," Wohn explained. "She is a drone expert and I look at social technologies, so that’s how this idea of social drones emerged." Both are affiliated with the two university's newly created Institute for Future Technologies.

Fires have always presented a serious risk to communities and individuals. However, fire damage in the U.S. has jumped by 90% over the last decade, costing $25.6 billion in losses, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. In both the U.S. and Israel, wildfires also present a significant problem, one that has garnered increased attention in recent years due to their frequency and severity.

“I am excited to explore how one of our fastest evolving technologies, AI-enabled drones, can be a game changer to help firefighters quickly find victims over a large area where visibility or other accessibility issues may give drones an advantage over humans,” said Wohn. “Human firefighters will always be essential for the actual rescue but the drone may be able to deliver essential resources or be used as an vehicle to perform essential communication functions so that the victim can receive the best attention until they are able to be transported out of the situation.”

Given the existing relationship between Wohn and Cauchard, it was a logical first effort in the new university partnership. Ying Wu officials expect many more research partnerships to come.