Design Summary Reader Response Draft 3

 

The webpage “Firefighting Robots Go Autonomous” (Little, 2021) introduces readers to firefighting drones that assist our firefighters in fighting the flames. Among its many features is its ability to withstand the blazing heat in temperatures not possible for any human. When it comes to a drone’s manoeuvrability, it could be terrestrial or in the skies. A human-controlled robot called Robotics Systems 3(RS3) is being used by the Los Angeles City Fire Department and has braved countless harsh conditions. One of the many attributes of the RS3 is the “ability to blast water at 10 times the rate of a conventional firehose” (Little, 2021, p. 8). Little (2021) noted that the RS3 is safely operated at a safe distance of 900 feet away from any danger. Operators utilize thermal imaging to locate casualties. An additional aspect of thermal imaging from the RS3’s cameras is to process video and temperature information. These firefighting drones are a tool that provides humans with more effective strategies without the risk to human lives. Despite the drone’s proven competency in aiding firefighting operations, Little (2021) reiterates that drones won’t eliminate and take over an actual human firefighter. Firefighters utilize the drone’s cameras for situational awareness, search & rescue, and fire detection. Thus, the cameras in a firefighting drone are the foundation for ensuring greater efficiency in firefighting operations.

Drone cameras provide situational awareness better than any human. The cameras allow for a full scene survey of a fire operation, allowing firefighters to plan before enacting any plans. Situational awareness not only provides successful pre-assessment scans of a fire but also prevents unnecessary risk to the firefighters. This is evident as quoted by DNDrone Nodes (n.d) “Accurate assessment of burning structures with a drone can be done to better understand the fire’s status before firefighters are even ready to enter the blaze” (p. 11). High-definition video output from the cameras is key to providing clear and accurate information. This information is transmitted to the firefighters who remain in a safe place (HSE-UAV, 2019).  The Matrice 300 RTK is one such drone equipped with multiple high-quality camera functions. It allows for 23x hybrid optical zoom with a resolution of 4K/30fps. The impressive zoom capability of the camera provides a safe distance between the drone and hazardous conditions without sacrificing image quality (DrDrone.ca, 2020). Thus, the cameras enhance efficiency in firefighting works by providing improved situational awareness.

 

Cameras from firefighting drones provide quicker detection of people in search and rescue operations. This is achieved as the cameras have thermal imaging implemented in them. Thermal imaging is a means of detecting heat given off by people, animals, power lines, and more. HSE-UAV (2019) stated, “This helps search and rescue teams locate stranded people, but it can also help them identify potentially dangerous areas, so teams know to steer clear” (p. 4). A fire scene would be swarmed by a cloud of smoke and is increasingly unfavourable if it is to occur at night with much lower visibility. With thermal cameras, drones aren’t affected by visibility impairment. As supported by the following statement, “Thermal (infrared) cameras have the ability to see through smoke and view objects emitting energy in complete darkness.” (DNDrone Node, n.d, p. 13). Thermal imaging spots people from the heat given off which aids in search and rescue operations (HSE-UAV, 2019).  To sum everything up, drone cameras provide greater efficiency for firefighters when they conduct search and rescue operations.

Drone cameras can pinpoint fire activity swiftly. It was mentioned in the previous paragraph that drones are not impaired by smoke due to thermal imaging cameras. This also comes to play in fire detection. Even in thick smoke, drones could gather reconnaissance and detect small fires which usually wouldn’t happen until it becomes too difficult to contain (Baggaley, 2017).  The ability to detect hot spots early allows firefighters to act fast and prevent further damage. Levitan (2022) reported, “Early detection of fires could allow teams to rush to an area and suppress the blaze before it balloons into something much less manageable and dangerous” (p. 9). In short, the cameras enhanced capability to spot a fire before it becomes a hazard allows firefighters to act immediately which increases their efficiency greatly.

Drone cameras aid our firefighters and increase their efficiency, but the cameras do come with a drawback.  These cameras used in residential areas could incur a report for a breach of privacy and intrusion. The public is wary of drones more so with implemented advanced technology nowadays like enhanced zoom and thermal imaging. It is reported that citizens did not fancy the idea of drones flying near their houses even for rescue operations (Pilot Institute, 2020). Pilot Institute (2020) mentioned, “laws that protect the privacy of people against renegade drones are either inconsistent or non-existent” (p. 20). Thus, the application of drone cameras is conflicted even with its overlying advantages.

In conclusion, the advantages far outweigh the negatives when it comes to the effectiveness of drone cameras and enhancing the efficiency of firefighters. Strong advantages in situational awareness, search, and rescue operations, as well as fire detection, could not be overlooked. I strongly believe that drones and their cameras are the future for more effective fire operations, and they are and will be a pivotal tool in a firefighter’s arsenal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

 

 

Baggaley, K. (2017, November 16). Drones are fighting wildfires in some very surprising ways. NBCNews.com. https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/drones-are-fighting-wildfires-some-very-surprising-ways-ncna820966

 

 

DNDrone Nodes is an online communication platform that brings together experts and               enthusiasts in drone research. (n.d.). Firefighter drones – how drones are being used for   helping fire departments. Drone Nodes. https://dronenodes.com/firefighter-drones/

 

 

DrDrone.ca, D. D. (2020, May 12). Matrice 300 RTK - a new standard for commercial drones. DrDrone.ca. https://drdrone.ca/blogs/drone-news-drone-help-blog/matrice-300-rtk-review

 

 

HSE-UAV. (2019, April 1). 3 drone camera features used for firefighting . HSE-UAV. https://hse-uav.com/three-drone-camera-features-used-for-firefighting/

 

 

Levitan, D. (2022, April 13). How drones could help fight wildfires supercharged by  climate change. Grid News. https://www.grid.news/story/climate/2022/04/13/how-drones-could-help-fight-wildfires-supercharged-by-climate-change/

 

 

Little, J. B. (2021, October 29). Firefighting Robots Go Autonomous. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/firefighting-robots-go-autonomous/

 

 

Pilot Institute, P. I. (2020, July 21). How to resolve privacy issues when flying drones. Pilot Institute. https://pilotinstitute.com/drone-privacy/