Advanced AI Drone System Designed to Tackle Early Stage Fires in Skyscrapers or Wildfires
XCMG Group, a leading company in China’s machinery industry, introduced its advanced AI drone system at a fire-fighting equipment technology seminar and exhibition in Beijing last week, according to the South China Morning Post. The drone system is mounted on the AP35/G2 compressed air foam fire truck UAV. This is the result of a collaboration between XCMG, a fire safety equipment company, and the Shanghai office of the Ministry of Emergency Management.
Drone practicing extinguishing fire in a skyscraper. (Photo: Mail)
The vehicle is equipped with two fire-fighting drones and one reconnaissance drone, along with a storage tank and fire-fighting equipment. The new fire-fighting drones aim to address the slow response times often associated with urban fires and wildfires during critical initial stages.
According to a representative from XCMG Group at the exhibition, the system has undergone two rescue drills for skyscrapers in Chongqing province, southwest China. It has also been deployed to prevent wildfires and has proven effective in handling rekindling hotspots and difficult-to-access terrains. “When a fire breaks out, the reconnaissance drone first surveys the scene, transmitting real-time images to the control room in the vehicle and automatically plotting a quick and safe rescue route. The fire-fighting drone then follows this predetermined route to rapidly reach the site and initiate firefighting measures. The fire truck also arrives to provide additional support,” XCMG Group stated.
The reconnaissance drone is equipped with an automatic flight function, conducting surveys at high altitudes and autonomously changing batteries. It can extend its field of vision in complex urban and mountainous environments. The two fire-fighting drones can carry loads of up to 50 kg, fly at an altitude of 120 meters, and operate for 20 minutes. They can deploy fire extinguishing bombs filled with dry powder or pressurized tanks, allowing hoses to spray compressed foam. The drones can spray up to 15 meters in the air, conduct rescue operations at high altitudes, and drop materials.
In March, the Nyingchi fire brigade in the Tibet Autonomous Region collaborated with the Keweitai company in Shenzhen to use drones to prevent a wildfire in a mountainous danger zone. They targeted 10 basic ignition points at various elevations ranging from 1,065 to 1,998 meters. The challenging terrain made it impossible for firefighters to access the area, thus drones were chosen for the rescue mission. Drones operated by experienced personnel successfully extinguished all smoke and fire sources by dropping water bags onto the affected areas.
