TECH NEWS – Huawei’s innovative smoke and fire detection solution can detect forest fires in advance, thereby reducing damage and protecting the local population.

Huawei Technologies has presented a new solution based on drones, artificial intelligence and the capabilities of the 5G network, which helps to warn in time and thus prevent forest fires. The new technology was installed in Athalassa Park in Cyprus together with the drone technology startup PROBOTEK and the Cyta telecommunications service provider. The new system connects carbon dioxide, temperature and humidity sensors on the ground with drones flying over the forest via a 5G network, and uses artificial intelligence to analyze the images captured by the drones. The technology is able to warn at the first signs of fire and provides the authorities with real-time data, including the size of the fire, its direction of spread and the optimal extinguishing route.

Due to extremely hot and dry summers, forest fires have been a serious problem in Cyprus in recent years. However, new technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence and drones can detect wildfires in advance and thereby reduce the damage, protecting the local population. Huawei, in cooperation with the drone technology startup company PROBOTEK, presented its improved, innovative fire detection solution on the 5G network of the telecommunications provider Cyta in Nicosia at the end of October.

The new system connects via a 5G network to carbon dioxide, temperature and humidity sensors on the ground, which communicate with drones flying over the forest, and uses artificial intelligence to analyze the images captured by the drones in real time. If a fire is suspected, the system can notify the authorities via SMS, email or phone and provide them with real-time information such as the fire’s location, size, direction of spread and the most optimal extinguishing route. One of the biggest advantages of the solution is that it can sound the alarm at the first signs, for example when smoke is detected near the ground, so the detection and automatic notification of firefighters can be reduced to 2.5 minutes thanks to the new technology. All of this is an important step forward, because the first 15 minutes are critical when forest fires start, the sooner a fire is detected, the easier it is to prevent its spread.

The innovative fire detection solution was first installed in Athens in 2022. Since then, the technology has gone through a lot of testing and development. The introduction of the early fire detection system was implemented within the framework of Huawei’s “Smart & Green Village” social program, which aims to provide extensive network opportunities and education in rural areas of the country.

“Cyta’s 5G network will significantly contribute to Huawei’s wildfire detection project by providing high-speed, low-latency connectivity that is essential for real-time data transmission and drone operation,” said George Metzakis. Cyta’s commercial director added that the development of 5G opens up endless possibilities, from disaster relief to powering smart cities, which will improve the quality of life for citizens.

Radoslaw Kedzia, Vice President of Huawei Europe, added that Huawei is committed to creating initiatives and solutions that can contribute to addressing environmental and social problems in Cyprus and throughout Europe: “Technology cannot oppose nature, on the contrary, it should help development of nature. The latest digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence, the cloud and 5G, are being rapidly integrated and widely used in various industries. This will facilitate digital transformation and sustainable socio-economic development and bring tangible benefits to society as a whole.”

Source: Press release