Space age fire fighting technologies are being trialled in a $6 million project by the Australian National University and Optus to investigate the use of satellite warnings and aerial water bombing drones.
Robotics expert Professor Rob Mahony, who is working on the bushfire warning and extinguishing system, with an autopilot glider that can be remotely guided to water bomb fires.The aim is to detect fires within moments of ignition and use machines to extinguish them before they grow too big to control.
ANU and Optus' first initiative will be a partnership with the ACT Rural Fire Service using long range infra-red cameras in Namadgi National Park for early fire detection.Optus Enterprise Managing director Chris Mitchell said the telco would bring its existing network and satellite capabilities to an urgent issue.
micksfoley space age started in 1956 . . . try Hazard Reduction Burns, locking up arsonists and not listening to Green activists
micksfoley 'Space Age'? Heh heh More like dragging fire fighting screaming & kicking into the 20thC.