In the bustling streets of Beijing, the vibrant heart of China’s technological innovations, something extraordinary recently caught the attention of both experts and enthusiasts alike.
It wasn’t the typical groundbreaking smartphone or sleek electric vehicle that had the crowd buzzing.
Instead, it was an ingenious Chinese AI-powered drone system, primed to combat early-stage fires in high-rise buildings, forests, and grasslands.
A Marvel from XCMG Group
Unveiled with great fanfare at a fire protection, equipment, and technology expo, this exceptional drone system emerged as a true game-changer.
The visionary minds at XCMG Group, a heavyweight in China’s machinery industry, took center stage to reveal this marvel that could revolutionize firefighting and emergency responses.
What sets this drone system apart is its unique approach to fire control. Mounted on a high-tech vehicle, aptly named the AP35/G2 UAV compressed air foam tower fire truck, this innovation is the fruit of a collaborative effort.
XCMG Fire-Fighting Safety Equipment Co and the Shanghai office of the Ministry of Emergency Management joined forces to bring this cutting-edge technology to life.
Advanced Equipment Onboard
Under the hood of this fire-fighting powerhouse, you’ll find two fire-rescue drones ready for action.
A reconnaissance drone stands alongside, complete with storage tanks and all the essential firefighting equipment you can imagine.
This assembly is no ordinary emergency response tool; it’s a dynamic force ready to tackle fires with speed and precision.
Tackling Response Time
One of the primary objectives of this innovative firefighting system is to address the sluggish response times often associated with urban and forest fire rescues during the initial stages of an emergency.
XCMG Group employees, who were present at the expo, shared thrilling stories of the system’s recent exploits.
They recounted how it aced not one but two high-rise rescue drills in the challenging terrain of Chongqing province in southwestern China.
Furthermore, it had been deployed in forest fire prevention, where it proved its mettle by tackling re-ignition points and maneuvering through seemingly impassable landscapes.
A Swift Response Plan
To delve deeper into the mechanics, when a fire breaks out, the reconnaissance drone takes the lead. It swoops in to survey the scene, transmitting real-time images back to the vehicle’s control room.
Simultaneously, it maps out a safe and swift route for the rescue team. In a matter of moments, the fire rescue drones follow this predetermined path, reaching the scene with lightning speed to initiate firefighting measures.
The fire truck can also be dispatched rapidly to provide additional support, creating a seamless response.
Cutting-Edge Features
The reconnaissance drone itself is equipped with a bevy of cutting-edge features, including automatic cruising, high-altitude surveillance, and automated battery replacement.
Its capabilities extend to navigating the most complex urban and forest environments, offering a bird’s-eye view of the crisis unfolding below.
Fire-Rescue Drones in Action
The two fire-rescue drones are no less impressive. They can carry a substantial payload of up to 50 kilograms (110 pounds), boasting an impressive flying height of 120 meters (394 feet) and a 20-minute operational time.
What truly sets them apart is their ability to be fitted with dry-powder fire extinguishing bombs or pressurized storage tanks. They can even tow hoses to spray compressed air foam.
These drones are capable of spraying up to 15 meters in the air, making them indispensable for high-altitude rescues and material drops.
Real-World Success
The efficacy of this technology has been tried and tested. In March, the fire brigade of Nyingchi in Tibet, a challenging region marked by its unique topography, collaborated with Shenzhen-based company Keweitai.
They employed drones to suppress a forest fire nestled within a canyon. The team targeted ten primary ignition points, each at dramatically varying elevations, from 1,065 meters to 1,998 meters.
The rugged and treacherous terrain rendered the area virtually inaccessible to human firefighters.
Instead, drones became the unsung heroes of the rescue mission. Trained professionals piloted these drones to extinguish all smoke and fire sources by airdropping water bags onto the affected areas.
While the drones were easy to carry, simple to operate, and quick to respond, they did require human intervention and couldn’t navigate autonomously.
Global Response to Wildfires
The increasing frequency of wildfires in recent years has spurred many companies across the globe to venture into similar projects.
In the Netherlands, Deltaquad introduced firefighting drones that employ thermal imaging and image recognition for forest wildfire detection.
Portuguese fire truck company Jacinto, in partnership with two other firms and the University of Coimbra, has embarked on a similar project with the aim of extinguishing fires before they escalate into massive infernos.
Superior Flight Control
What truly sets the XCMG drone system apart is its superior flight control system, optimized for complex fire situations. This technology offers unmatched stability and performance compared to commercial drones, according to technical experts present at the expo.
The challenges faced by urban rescues are unique. Fire rescue drones have to endure explosive gas flows that may erupt from windows at the fire site, a formidable challenge indeed.
The XCMG team tackled this hurdle through extensive data collection and, to some extent, operational time sacrifices. The result? A system that is now in its fifth-generation, with development starting in 2017.
And the future looks even brighter, with the next generation of this system, expected to feature a larger payload and independent firefighting units directly mounted on the drones, slated for release early next year.
A Timely Response
It’s not just about innovation; it’s about timing. The system is designed to swing into action within the first 20 minutes of a fire outbreak.
According to domestic rescue standards, backup forces should have also arrived at the scene by that time, completing the drone’s early rescue mission.
The skies above Beijing bore witness to this breathtaking innovation, a fusion of cutting-edge technology and unwavering commitment to safety. In the quest to safeguard lives and property, the XCMG drone system stands as a shining beacon of hope, demonstrating what’s possible when humanity’s inventive spirit is put to the test.