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Clemson University (University Facebook page)
AI
Clemson University
Wildfires
Hotspot detection
Thermal imaging
Firefighting
RGB images
Drones
(WPDE) — A new artificial intelligence tool developed by Clemson University researchers could change how firefighters track dangerous heat inside wildfires, potentially helping crews spot hotspots that are difficult to detect with the naked eye.
The technology, developed by researcher Fatemah Afghah and her team, uses AI to study patterns in regular color images, also known as RGB.
Afghah, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at Clemson University, said the team trained its AI models using both RGB images and thermal images collected from previous controlled burns.
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“We train AI models on top of both of these modalities, then our AI model is capable of looking at RGB only and using the training it has infer about how that thermal would look like,” Afghah said.
The goal is to estimate fire temperature and, in some cases, eliminate the need for a thermal camera.
Afghah said that could be especially useful for first responders, including in the Carolinas, where the Carolina Forest wildfire is still fresh in memory one year later.
“When first responders are going to utilize this tool in their field with RGB only images and running the AI model on top, they can guess the temperature from regular optical RGB images, which traditionally do not give us any, temperature related information,” Afghah said.
Afghah said the approach could cut steps in the field because crews would only need to send updated maps, reducing the amount of data that must be transmitted.
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She also described it as a cheaper option than some existing tools, particularly as drones become more common and easier to operate.
“It’s very cost efficient. And now with the amount of, autonomy, being enabled and used, drones it’s a much easier task for them to, do compared to like few years ago,” Afghah said.
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The technology is intended to help fire officials find hidden hotspots under vegetation or even smoke.
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