Collaborative Aerial Robotic Team for Safety and Security (CARTS)

The CARTS (Collaborative Aerial Robotic Team for Safety and Security) project aims to improve autonomous firefighting operations through an collaborative drone system. The system combines a sensing drone optimized for patrolling and fire detection with an action drone equipped for fire suppression. While current urban safety operations rely on manually operated drones that face significant limitations in speed, accessibility, and coordination, CARTS addresses these challenges by creating a system that enhances operational efficiency through minimal human intervention, while building on previous research with the IFFS drone project.
This feasibility study focuses on developing effective coordination between the sensing and action drones, implementing fire detection and localization algorithms, and establishing parameters for autonomous flight planning. Through this innovative collaborative drone approach, we aim to significantly improve both fire detection and suppression capabilities. A critical aspect of the project involves ensuring reliable and safe operation under various environmental conditions.
This feasibility study aims to explore the potential of a sensing drone with detection capabilities while investigating coordination mechanisms between the sensing and action drones. We will examine autonomous flight planning approaches and test initial prototypes in controlled environments to assess technical feasibility and safety considerations. If successful, this exploratory work will provide valuable insights for future research into autonomous collaborative drone systems, currently focused on firefighting. This could lead to larger follow-up projects expanding the concept to other safety and security applications.