FJ-215
Regular
Yep, another weekend drinking cask wine. On the plus side, you can blow up the bladder and use it as a pillow.
BRN Discussion Ongoing
- Thread starter TechGirl
- Start date
TheDrooben
Pretty Pretty Pretty Pretty Good
I find just drinking the wine blows up the bladder.
Frangipani
Top 20
Rania Toukebri, a Tunisian aerospace engineer based in Germany who has participated in several ESA projects over the past decade and has been working for Airbus Defence and Space Ottobrunn since May 2023 might very well be one of the researchers involved in the NEURAVIS R&T project that also includes BrainChip as a consortium partner:
www.linkedin.com
www.linkedin.com
I recommend listening in from about 16 min onwards…
She is also a Senior Team Manager with Akkodis, an IT Services and IT Consulting company.
I also discovered an older LinkedIn profile of her online, which stopped being updated quite a while ago, but has further info on her education and employment history. (By the way, the education section is evidence of her being amazingly multi-talented and not only acing it in STEM -
)
Rania Toukebri has been researching neuromorphic platforms for on-board computing for quite some time. In fact, she has been pursuing a PhD at University of Lübeck on that very topic (her newer LinkedIn profile suggests she already completed her PhD in 2022, but from what I gathered in the July 2024 video below she is still pursuing it while working full-time, so maybe 2022 was rather when she began her PhD journey?) and gave a talk at IAC 2023 titled “New Generation of Onboard Computers for Long Missions”, in which she suggested to improve the current architecture of OBCs using neuromorphic platforms (abstract only, to get the manuscript, you’ll need to contact the International Astronautical Federation’s Secretariat; as you can see, this October 2023 paper lists her as Ms. and not as Dr. Rania Toukebri, which is another indication she probably started her PhD in 2022 rather than completed it):
I also found this interview with her, uploaded to YouTube in July 2024, in which she mentions working on a new type of onboard computer for space missions based on a neuromorphic platform (listen from 12:15 min) :
I got the impression from the video she would have loved to work within ESA itself, but being a citizen of Tunisia (and not of an ESA Member State, Associate Member State or Cooperating State, of which there is only one outside of Europe, namely Canada) barred her from doing so (from 8:50 min)
Cf. https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/Frequently_asked_questions2
About a year ago, Rania Toukebri had posted this on LinkedIn:
www.linkedin.com
However, as evidenced by the two interviews I shared above (the one with Omar Alayli was recorded less than a month ago, as their conversation took place two days before Firefly Aerospace’s successful lunar landing of the NASA-funded Blue Ghost Mission 1 on 2 March 2024), she seems to have made up her mind to continue with her work despite her doubts and hesitation and her rather dramatic plea for regulations around AI expressed in that post.
Thank you, BrainChip team, for sharing the news. At Airbus, we are very… | Jérémy Lebreton
Thank you, BrainChip team, for sharing the news. At Airbus, we are very glad to be starting this new ESA R&T project called NEURAVIS with BrainChip , Neurobus…
Rania Toukebri: Spacecraft Design, Onboard Computers, Neuromorphic… | Omar Alayli
Here is my conversation with Rania Toukebri, an accomplished #aerospaceengineer and #researcher, specializing in #spacecraft systems design and pioneering…
I recommend listening in from about 16 min onwards…
She is also a Senior Team Manager with Akkodis, an IT Services and IT Consulting company.
I also discovered an older LinkedIn profile of her online, which stopped being updated quite a while ago, but has further info on her education and employment history. (By the way, the education section is evidence of her being amazingly multi-talented and not only acing it in STEM -
)Rania Toukebri has been researching neuromorphic platforms for on-board computing for quite some time. In fact, she has been pursuing a PhD at University of Lübeck on that very topic (her newer LinkedIn profile suggests she already completed her PhD in 2022, but from what I gathered in the July 2024 video below she is still pursuing it while working full-time, so maybe 2022 was rather when she began her PhD journey?) and gave a talk at IAC 2023 titled “New Generation of Onboard Computers for Long Missions”, in which she suggested to improve the current architecture of OBCs using neuromorphic platforms (abstract only, to get the manuscript, you’ll need to contact the International Astronautical Federation’s Secretariat; as you can see, this October 2023 paper lists her as Ms. and not as Dr. Rania Toukebri, which is another indication she probably started her PhD in 2022 rather than completed it):
I also found this interview with her, uploaded to YouTube in July 2024, in which she mentions working on a new type of onboard computer for space missions based on a neuromorphic platform (listen from 12:15 min) :
I got the impression from the video she would have loved to work within ESA itself, but being a citizen of Tunisia (and not of an ESA Member State, Associate Member State or Cooperating State, of which there is only one outside of Europe, namely Canada) barred her from doing so (from 8:50 min)
Cf. https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/Frequently_asked_questions2
About a year ago, Rania Toukebri had posted this on LinkedIn:
#ai #neuromorphic #onboard #longmissions #lunar #launch #obcs #neuro… | Rania Toukebri
Dear LinkedIn community, You probably need to read this if you are into #AI. Few years ago, I’ve started my PhD on #neuromorphic platforms to create a new…
However, as evidenced by the two interviews I shared above (the one with Omar Alayli was recorded less than a month ago, as their conversation took place two days before Firefly Aerospace’s successful lunar landing of the NASA-funded Blue Ghost Mission 1 on 2 March 2024), she seems to have made up her mind to continue with her work despite her doubts and hesitation and her rather dramatic plea for regulations around AI expressed in that post.
Last edited:
TheFunkMachine
seeds have the potential to become trees.
#edgeai #wearables #ai | BrainChip
BrainChip CEO Sean Hehir joined Christian Stammel on the Wearable Technologies AG Studio podcast to discuss why BrainChip’s Akida NPU is uniquely positioned to…
View attachment 80512
This is the most articulate, genuine and well spoken I have heard our CEO speak ever. I think it is based on confidence and knowing whats ahead. Just my opinion.
"AI Asthma Guard: Predictive Wearable Technology for Asthma Management in Vulnerable Populations"
AI Asthma Guard: Predictive Wearable Technology for Asthma Management in Vulnerable Populations
Very interesting paper:
Written in 2024. Not linked to any funding.
Right up Brainchip's alley. Their proposed wearable looks like a mini tank.
I do not see a world where BRN is not getting a piece of this action in some shape or form..
A target user population of 339 million people according to the paper.
Another article below:
DIGIPREDICT: physiological, behavioural and environmental predictors of asthma attacks—a prospective observational study using digital markers and artificial intelligence—study protocol
Introduction Asthma attacks are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality but are preventable in most if detected and treated promptly. However, the changes that occur physiologically and behaviourally in the days and weeks preceding an attack are not always recognised, highlighting a potential...
Getupthere
Regular
Intel's Strategy to Win the Next AI Frontier — Entrepreneur
Under new CEO leadership, Intel is strategically targeting the high-growth edge AI market with an open ecosystem and optimized hardware to drive future success.
Frangipani
Top 20
Wouldn’t we all just love our technology to be used for wildfire/bushfire detection, similar to what Dryad Networks does?!
Further to my June 2023 posts about Dryad Networks
(https://thestockexchange.com.au/threads/brn-discussion-ongoing.1/post-305877,
https://thestockexchange.com.au/threads/brn-discussion-ongoing.1/post-317742),
I just read an article about the German company having since advanced towards its aim of autonomous wildfire suppression:
www.dryad.net
21 hours ago5 min read
In the aftermath of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires estimated to cost more than $250 billion, Dryad Networks, a pioneer in ultra-early wildfire detection technology, today announced a successful demonstration of the world’s first fully functional drone prototype solution to autonomously detect, locate, monitor and eventually extinguish wildfires.
At an event on March 27 in Eberswalde, Germany, Dryad demonstrated that its Silvaguard drone system autonomously responded to a controlled fire detected almost instantly by its Silvanet sensor system for ultra-early wildfire detection. Upon detection, a Silvaguard drone was released and autonomously navigated to the sensor location, providing real-time aerial observation to pinpoint the fire’s location and size, helping to save precious time and resources. This demonstration marks a key milestone toward the vision of autonomous wildfire suppression. Silvaguard drones ultimately will also be able to extinguish wildfires in their initial stages with innovative suppression technology such as acoustic waves.
“With wildfires growing more destructive each year, ultra-early detection alone may no longer be enough as the response time of traditional fire suppression methods often takes too long; we need to extend to rapid and autonomous suppression systems. Silvaguard represents a critical leap forward toward the vision of AI-powered drones extinguishing fires before they spread. This demonstration marked the first step toward a future where we can detect and extinguish fires within minutes from ignition. Dryad is in a unique position to deliver on this vision, because our Silvanet system detects fires within minutes, when the limited capabilities of a drone-based response may still have a chance to extinguish a fire,” said Carsten Brinkschulte, CEO and co-founder, Dryad Networks.
Moderated by Lindon Pronto, senior wildfire management expert at the European Forest Institute, the event featured presentations by Dryad’s CEO Carsten Brinkschulte and Pedro Silva, Dryad’s chief technology officer. The highlight was a real-time wildfire scenario where Dryad’s Silvanet sensors detected a fire, sent an alert, and a Silvaguard drone autonomously dispatched from its solar-powered hangar to investigate the threat, providing overhead optical and infrared imagery.
Dryad Networks demonstrated that Silvaguard has reached its first major milestone as a fully functional prototype for wildfire suppression using drones. By integrating Silvanet’s ultra-early wildfire detection using sensors, already deployed in more than 50 installations worldwide, with Silvaguard’s autonomous drone response, Dryad Networks is laying the groundwork for real-time, automated wildfire prevention.
Silvanet is Dryad Networks’ ultra-early wildfire detection system, designed to detect wildfires at the smoldering stage using solar-powered gas sensors connected via a wireless IoT mesh network. It provides real-time fire alerts, allowing firefighters to respond before flames spread. Silvanet is already fully operational and deployed in multiple regions, including Lebanon, where it detected an unauthorized fire within minutes, enabling rapid intervention. Other deployments are in Italy, Germany, Thailand, Canada and the United States, where public agencies, utilities and forestry companies use Silvanet to protect critical infrastructure and natural reserves. Last week, Dryad announced its expansion into Australia and New Zealand.
Silvaguard is Dryad’s next step in wildfire response — an autonomous drone system that will actively suppress wildfires at their earliest stages using suppression technology such as acoustic waves.
In the future, Silvanet and Silvaguard will work together. Once Silvanet detects a fire with its solar-powered gas sensors, it will trigger a nearby Silvaguard drone, which will fly to the location, confirm the fire and deploy suppression technology to stop it before it spreads. While Silvanet detects and alerts, Silvaguard responds and extinguishes, making them a seamless, end-to-end solution for wildfire detection and suppression.
According to Global Forest Watch, which maintains a dashboard of interactive charts and maps summarizing statistics about global forests and searchable by country, from 2001 to 2023 there was a total of 138 million hectares (341,005,426 acres) of tree cover lost from fires globally, which is larger than Peru at 128 million hectares. From 2001 to 2023, Germany lost 7,080 hectares (17,495 acres) of tree cover from fires.
In addition to the horrific video footage of the Los Angeles wildfires, a study published in Science, elucidates the destructive power of wildfires in the United States: “The most destructive and deadly wildfires in U.S. history were also fast. Using satellite data, we analyzed the daily growth rates of more than 60,000 fires from 2001 to 2020 across the contiguous US. Nearly half of the ecoregions experienced destructive fast fires that grew more than 1,620 hectares in one day. These fires accounted for 78% of structures destroyed and 61% of suppression costs ($18.9 billion). From 2001 to 2020, the average peak daily growth rate for these fires more than doubled (+249% relative to 2001) in the Western U.S. Nearly 3 million structures were within 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) of a fast fire during this period across the US. Given recent devastating wildfires, understanding fast fires is crucial for improving firefighting strategies and community preparedness.”
Today, Silvaguard has reached its first major milestone as a fully functional prototype, marking the successful completion of Phase 1. At this stage, the system autonomously responds to a fire detected by Silvanet sensors, triggering a drone to fly to the location for real-time observation and situational awareness.The next phase of Silvaguard will focus on fire suppression capabilities, exploring multiple suppression technologies, including acoustic wave fire suppression. In Phase 2, the drone will undergo rigorous testing and optimization to assess the effectiveness of different suppression methods, refine drone autonomy and optimize deployment logistics. After that, the system will be scaled for real-world deployments, integrating multi-drone coordination and AI-driven decision-making to optimize response times across large, fire-prone areas.Silvaguard is evolving toward a fully autonomous, scalable wildfire suppression network, with the long-term vision of deploying fleets of drones stationed in strategic locations to provide rapid, automated wildfire response using the most effective suppression technology available.
The European Union is co-funding the Silvaguard project with €3.8 million of European Region Development Fund (ERDF) grants and loans. As Dryad Networks continues to refine the technology, the company invites investors, policymakers and wildfire management professionals to collaborate in bringing Silvaguard to real-world deployments.
Prospective Silvaguard customers include:
www.dryad.net
Ben Jones
Mar 20
2 min read
Dryad Networks, a leader in ultra-early wildfire detection, is setting up its first office in Australia and New Zealand to help tackle the region’s growing bushfire crisis. Based in Macquarie Park, New South Wales, the new hub strengthens Dryad’s ability to work directly with governments, emergency services, and industry partners to prevent fires before they spread.
Leading the ANZ expansion is Sohan Domingo, VP of Sales, Technology, and Operations. Dryad is starting with a dedicated local team and will scale up as demand grows. Having a local base means working closely with emergency responders, forestry services, and national parks to roll out fire detection solutions tailored to Australia and New Zealand’s unique landscape.
“Australia and New Zealand are on the frontlines of climate adaptation, and early fire detection is critical,” said Sohan Domingo. “With a local team, we can work directly with authorities and land managers to stop fires before they spread.”
Building on success in North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia, the company is bringing its technology to ANZ to detect fires before flames appear and prevent devastating losses. Each sensor runs maintenance-free for up to 15 years, powered by a small integrated solar cell. Designed for rugged conditions, the sensors form a wireless mesh network that provides reliable coverage even in remote areas.
Silvanet Border Gateway
Detecting fires at the smouldering stage gives emergency services a crucial head start. The system provides real-time fire maps and outperforms spotting towers, infrared cameras, and satellites, which only detect fires once they’ve spread.
“Bushfires don’t just destroy landscapes and communities, they also fuel climate change,” Domingo added. “Early detection is the key to stopping them before they spread. Our expansion isn’t just about growth; it’s about protecting lives, infrastructure, and forests. By reducing fire risk, we’re also cutting carbon emissions and building a more resilient future.”
Dryad is also advancing wildfire suppression with Silvaguard, an autonomous AI-powered drone that uses acoustic waves to extinguish fires. This innovation will provide a rapid, automated response to fire outbreaks detected by Dryad’s sensors, reinforcing early intervention efforts. Plans are underway to explore deployment opportunities in Australia and New Zealand, where fast-moving fires pose a critical challenge.
To accelerate deployment, Dryad is partnering with Indigenous Industries Australia (IIAust), Thinxtra, Indicium Dynamics, and New Zealand’s Direct Safety. These alliances tap into local expertise to scale wildfire detection across ANZ. The company is also working with research institutions, government agencies, and emergency responders to refine its system and strengthen bushfire resilience in diverse landscapes.
For phase 2 of their prototype, Dryad Networks are collaborating with Sonic Fire Tech (https://sonicfiretech.com/). Dryad Networks’ AI-powered drones (“These drones will be outfitted with state-of-the-art infrared and bio-inspired event cameras for navigation and fire detection, ensuring swift and accurate response” will be tested equipped with Sonic Fire Tech’s “innovative acoustic wave technology to quickly and safely suppress fires without causing damage.”
By the way, yet another case of “using space tech to solve earth problems”!
(“Sonic Fire Tech’s technology stack is inspired by advanced systems developed by our CEO and Co-Founder at NASA.”)
www.dryad.net
Jul 16, 2024
2 min read
Dryad Networks, a pioneer in wildfire detection technology, is proud to announce its selection as one of 29 finalists in the XPRIZE Wildfire Competition. The company's groundbreaking ”Florian” project, aimed at early wildfire suppression using autonomous drones, has earned it a spot in the final round of this prestigious competition.
Building upon the success of their Silvanet system, a network of solar-powered sensors that detect early signs of wildfires, Dryad Networks is now developing Florian to combat these fires at their earliest stages. Named after the German patron saint of firefighters, Florian will employ drones permanently stationed in forests, ready to swiftly and effectively extinguish fires before they escalate.
"We are honored to be selected among organizations committed to ending destructive wildfires," said Carsten Brinkschulte, CEO and co-founder of Dryad Networks. "With Silvanet detecting wildfires early, Florian will enable us to take rapid action using drones equipped with innovative acoustic wave cannons to extinguish fires in an environmentally responsible manner."
In collaboration with U.S.-based Sonic Fire Tech, the Florian project is set to create a revolutionary autonomous solution. This cutting-edge system will leverage ultra-early detection sensors to pinpoint the precise locations of fires and dispatch drones to extinguish them within minutes. These drones will be outfitted with state-of-the-art infrared and bio-inspired event cameras for navigation and fire detection, ensuring swift and accurate response.
Dryad Networks' participation in the XPRIZE Wildfire Competition underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions to address the escalating threat of wildfires worldwide. As extreme wildfires continue to cause billions of dollars in damage and wreak havoc on fragile ecosystems, new technologies like Florian are vital for early detection and suppression.
"Climate change is intensifying the wildfire crisis," warned Brinkschulte. "Year after year, we witness megafires growing in strength, frequency and destructive power. New technologies hold the key to overcoming this crisis, but the time to act is now."
About the XPRIZE Wildfire Competition
The XPRIZE Foundation, a leader in fostering technological innovation to address global challenges, launched the Wildfire Competition to drive advancements in wildfire detection and management. The competition is divided into two tracks: "Space-Based Wildfire Detection & Intelligence" and "Autonomous Wildfire Response." The finalists for the former track were announced at the FDIC International Conference in Indianapolis, the world’s largest firefighter gathering, highlighting the critical importance of innovative solutions in wildfire management.
Competing in the Autonomous Wildfire Response track
In the "Autonomous Wildfire Response" track, teams are challenged to autonomously detect and suppress a high-risk fire in a 1000 square kilometer, environmentally challenging area within 10 minutes, leaving any decoy fires untouched. This rapid detection and response capability is essential for effectively managing wildfires and minimizing their impact.
Further to my June 2023 posts about Dryad Networks
(https://thestockexchange.com.au/threads/brn-discussion-ongoing.1/post-305877,
https://thestockexchange.com.au/threads/brn-discussion-ongoing.1/post-317742),
I just read an article about the German company having since advanced towards its aim of autonomous wildfire suppression:
Dryad Networks Unveils Silvaguard Drone Prototype for Detecting, Locating and Monitoring Wildfires | Dryad
Dryad’s Silvaguard drone system extends Silvanet’s ultra-early fire detection with real-time aerial observation and marks a key milestone.
www.dryad.net
Dryad Networks Demonstrates First Fully Functional Drone Prototype for Detecting, Locating and Monitoring Wildfires
Ben Jones21 hours ago5 min read
Dryad’s Silvaguard drone system extends Silvanet’s ultra-early fire detection with real-time aerial observation and marks a key milestone toward autonomous wildfire suppression
In the aftermath of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires estimated to cost more than $250 billion, Dryad Networks, a pioneer in ultra-early wildfire detection technology, today announced a successful demonstration of the world’s first fully functional drone prototype solution to autonomously detect, locate, monitor and eventually extinguish wildfires.
At an event on March 27 in Eberswalde, Germany, Dryad demonstrated that its Silvaguard drone system autonomously responded to a controlled fire detected almost instantly by its Silvanet sensor system for ultra-early wildfire detection. Upon detection, a Silvaguard drone was released and autonomously navigated to the sensor location, providing real-time aerial observation to pinpoint the fire’s location and size, helping to save precious time and resources. This demonstration marks a key milestone toward the vision of autonomous wildfire suppression. Silvaguard drones ultimately will also be able to extinguish wildfires in their initial stages with innovative suppression technology such as acoustic waves.
“With wildfires growing more destructive each year, ultra-early detection alone may no longer be enough as the response time of traditional fire suppression methods often takes too long; we need to extend to rapid and autonomous suppression systems. Silvaguard represents a critical leap forward toward the vision of AI-powered drones extinguishing fires before they spread. This demonstration marked the first step toward a future where we can detect and extinguish fires within minutes from ignition. Dryad is in a unique position to deliver on this vision, because our Silvanet system detects fires within minutes, when the limited capabilities of a drone-based response may still have a chance to extinguish a fire,” said Carsten Brinkschulte, CEO and co-founder, Dryad Networks.
Moderated by Lindon Pronto, senior wildfire management expert at the European Forest Institute, the event featured presentations by Dryad’s CEO Carsten Brinkschulte and Pedro Silva, Dryad’s chief technology officer. The highlight was a real-time wildfire scenario where Dryad’s Silvanet sensors detected a fire, sent an alert, and a Silvaguard drone autonomously dispatched from its solar-powered hangar to investigate the threat, providing overhead optical and infrared imagery.
Dryad Networks demonstrated that Silvaguard has reached its first major milestone as a fully functional prototype for wildfire suppression using drones. By integrating Silvanet’s ultra-early wildfire detection using sensors, already deployed in more than 50 installations worldwide, with Silvaguard’s autonomous drone response, Dryad Networks is laying the groundwork for real-time, automated wildfire prevention.
Silvanet and Silvaguard: An integrated Solution for Wildfire Detection and Suppression
Silvanet is Dryad Networks’ ultra-early wildfire detection system, designed to detect wildfires at the smoldering stage using solar-powered gas sensors connected via a wireless IoT mesh network. It provides real-time fire alerts, allowing firefighters to respond before flames spread. Silvanet is already fully operational and deployed in multiple regions, including Lebanon, where it detected an unauthorized fire within minutes, enabling rapid intervention. Other deployments are in Italy, Germany, Thailand, Canada and the United States, where public agencies, utilities and forestry companies use Silvanet to protect critical infrastructure and natural reserves. Last week, Dryad announced its expansion into Australia and New Zealand.
Silvaguard is Dryad’s next step in wildfire response — an autonomous drone system that will actively suppress wildfires at their earliest stages using suppression technology such as acoustic waves.
In the future, Silvanet and Silvaguard will work together. Once Silvanet detects a fire with its solar-powered gas sensors, it will trigger a nearby Silvaguard drone, which will fly to the location, confirm the fire and deploy suppression technology to stop it before it spreads. While Silvanet detects and alerts, Silvaguard responds and extinguishes, making them a seamless, end-to-end solution for wildfire detection and suppression.
The Destructive Power of Wildfires
According to Global Forest Watch, which maintains a dashboard of interactive charts and maps summarizing statistics about global forests and searchable by country, from 2001 to 2023 there was a total of 138 million hectares (341,005,426 acres) of tree cover lost from fires globally, which is larger than Peru at 128 million hectares. From 2001 to 2023, Germany lost 7,080 hectares (17,495 acres) of tree cover from fires.
In addition to the horrific video footage of the Los Angeles wildfires, a study published in Science, elucidates the destructive power of wildfires in the United States: “The most destructive and deadly wildfires in U.S. history were also fast. Using satellite data, we analyzed the daily growth rates of more than 60,000 fires from 2001 to 2020 across the contiguous US. Nearly half of the ecoregions experienced destructive fast fires that grew more than 1,620 hectares in one day. These fires accounted for 78% of structures destroyed and 61% of suppression costs ($18.9 billion). From 2001 to 2020, the average peak daily growth rate for these fires more than doubled (+249% relative to 2001) in the Western U.S. Nearly 3 million structures were within 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) of a fast fire during this period across the US. Given recent devastating wildfires, understanding fast fires is crucial for improving firefighting strategies and community preparedness.”
The Silvaguard Roadmap
Today, Silvaguard has reached its first major milestone as a fully functional prototype, marking the successful completion of Phase 1. At this stage, the system autonomously responds to a fire detected by Silvanet sensors, triggering a drone to fly to the location for real-time observation and situational awareness.The next phase of Silvaguard will focus on fire suppression capabilities, exploring multiple suppression technologies, including acoustic wave fire suppression. In Phase 2, the drone will undergo rigorous testing and optimization to assess the effectiveness of different suppression methods, refine drone autonomy and optimize deployment logistics. After that, the system will be scaled for real-world deployments, integrating multi-drone coordination and AI-driven decision-making to optimize response times across large, fire-prone areas.Silvaguard is evolving toward a fully autonomous, scalable wildfire suppression network, with the long-term vision of deploying fleets of drones stationed in strategic locations to provide rapid, automated wildfire response using the most effective suppression technology available.
Silvaguard Funding and Markets
The European Union is co-funding the Silvaguard project with €3.8 million of European Region Development Fund (ERDF) grants and loans. As Dryad Networks continues to refine the technology, the company invites investors, policymakers and wildfire management professionals to collaborate in bringing Silvaguard to real-world deployments.
Prospective Silvaguard customers include:
- Public sector agencies such as national and regional fire departments, forestry and environmental agencies and civil protection authorities in wildfire-prone regions like the United States, Canada, Australia, Southern Europe and South America.
- Utilities and infrastructure operators, including power grid companies, railway authorities and oil and gas firms, which could use Silvaguard to protect critical infrastructure from fire risk.
- Private forestry and landowners, including commercial forestry firms, pulp and paper producers and agricultural estates in fire-prone areas, which would benefit from early suppression capabilities.
- Insurance and reinsurance companies, which could use Silvaguard to reduce wildfire-related claims
- Nonprofits and conservation organizations, which may support deployments for environmental protection and climate adaptation.
Dryad Networks Launches in Australia and New Zealand to Combat Bushfires with AI-Driven Early Detection | Dryad
Dryad Networks, a leader in ultra-early wildfire detection, is setting up its first office in Australia and New Zealand.
www.dryad.net
Ben Jones
Mar 20
2 min read
Dryad Networks Launches in Australia and New Zealand to Combat Bushfires with AI-Driven Early Detection
Dryad Networks, a leader in ultra-early wildfire detection, is setting up its first office in Australia and New Zealand to help tackle the region’s growing bushfire crisis. Based in Macquarie Park, New South Wales, the new hub strengthens Dryad’s ability to work directly with governments, emergency services, and industry partners to prevent fires before they spread.
Leading the ANZ expansion is Sohan Domingo, VP of Sales, Technology, and Operations. Dryad is starting with a dedicated local team and will scale up as demand grows. Having a local base means working closely with emergency responders, forestry services, and national parks to roll out fire detection solutions tailored to Australia and New Zealand’s unique landscape.
“Australia and New Zealand are on the frontlines of climate adaptation, and early fire detection is critical,” said Sohan Domingo. “With a local team, we can work directly with authorities and land managers to stop fires before they spread.”
Building on success in North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia, the company is bringing its technology to ANZ to detect fires before flames appear and prevent devastating losses. Each sensor runs maintenance-free for up to 15 years, powered by a small integrated solar cell. Designed for rugged conditions, the sensors form a wireless mesh network that provides reliable coverage even in remote areas.
Silvanet Border Gateway
Detecting fires at the smouldering stage gives emergency services a crucial head start. The system provides real-time fire maps and outperforms spotting towers, infrared cameras, and satellites, which only detect fires once they’ve spread.
“Bushfires don’t just destroy landscapes and communities, they also fuel climate change,” Domingo added. “Early detection is the key to stopping them before they spread. Our expansion isn’t just about growth; it’s about protecting lives, infrastructure, and forests. By reducing fire risk, we’re also cutting carbon emissions and building a more resilient future.”
Dryad is also advancing wildfire suppression with Silvaguard, an autonomous AI-powered drone that uses acoustic waves to extinguish fires. This innovation will provide a rapid, automated response to fire outbreaks detected by Dryad’s sensors, reinforcing early intervention efforts. Plans are underway to explore deployment opportunities in Australia and New Zealand, where fast-moving fires pose a critical challenge.
To accelerate deployment, Dryad is partnering with Indigenous Industries Australia (IIAust), Thinxtra, Indicium Dynamics, and New Zealand’s Direct Safety. These alliances tap into local expertise to scale wildfire detection across ANZ. The company is also working with research institutions, government agencies, and emergency responders to refine its system and strengthen bushfire resilience in diverse landscapes.
For phase 2 of their prototype, Dryad Networks are collaborating with Sonic Fire Tech (https://sonicfiretech.com/). Dryad Networks’ AI-powered drones (“These drones will be outfitted with state-of-the-art infrared and bio-inspired event cameras for navigation and fire detection, ensuring swift and accurate response” will be tested equipped with Sonic Fire Tech’s “innovative acoustic wave technology to quickly and safely suppress fires without causing damage.”
By the way, yet another case of “using space tech to solve earth problems”!
(“Sonic Fire Tech’s technology stack is inspired by advanced systems developed by our CEO and Co-Founder at NASA.”)
Dryad Networks Among 29 Global Finalists in XPRIZE Wildfire Competition with Innovative ‘Florian’ Drone Concept | Dryad
Dryad Networks is proud to announce its selection as one of 29 finalists in the XPRIZE Wildfire Competition.
www.dryad.net
Dryad Networks Among 29 Global Finalists in XPRIZE Wildfire Competition with Innovative ‘Florian’ Drone Concept
Ben JonesJul 16, 2024
2 min read
Dryad Networks, a pioneer in wildfire detection technology, is proud to announce its selection as one of 29 finalists in the XPRIZE Wildfire Competition. The company's groundbreaking ”Florian” project, aimed at early wildfire suppression using autonomous drones, has earned it a spot in the final round of this prestigious competition.
Building upon the success of their Silvanet system, a network of solar-powered sensors that detect early signs of wildfires, Dryad Networks is now developing Florian to combat these fires at their earliest stages. Named after the German patron saint of firefighters, Florian will employ drones permanently stationed in forests, ready to swiftly and effectively extinguish fires before they escalate.
"We are honored to be selected among organizations committed to ending destructive wildfires," said Carsten Brinkschulte, CEO and co-founder of Dryad Networks. "With Silvanet detecting wildfires early, Florian will enable us to take rapid action using drones equipped with innovative acoustic wave cannons to extinguish fires in an environmentally responsible manner."
In collaboration with U.S.-based Sonic Fire Tech, the Florian project is set to create a revolutionary autonomous solution. This cutting-edge system will leverage ultra-early detection sensors to pinpoint the precise locations of fires and dispatch drones to extinguish them within minutes. These drones will be outfitted with state-of-the-art infrared and bio-inspired event cameras for navigation and fire detection, ensuring swift and accurate response.
Dryad Networks' participation in the XPRIZE Wildfire Competition underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions to address the escalating threat of wildfires worldwide. As extreme wildfires continue to cause billions of dollars in damage and wreak havoc on fragile ecosystems, new technologies like Florian are vital for early detection and suppression.
"Climate change is intensifying the wildfire crisis," warned Brinkschulte. "Year after year, we witness megafires growing in strength, frequency and destructive power. New technologies hold the key to overcoming this crisis, but the time to act is now."
About the XPRIZE Wildfire Competition
The XPRIZE Foundation, a leader in fostering technological innovation to address global challenges, launched the Wildfire Competition to drive advancements in wildfire detection and management. The competition is divided into two tracks: "Space-Based Wildfire Detection & Intelligence" and "Autonomous Wildfire Response." The finalists for the former track were announced at the FDIC International Conference in Indianapolis, the world’s largest firefighter gathering, highlighting the critical importance of innovative solutions in wildfire management.
Competing in the Autonomous Wildfire Response track
In the "Autonomous Wildfire Response" track, teams are challenged to autonomously detect and suppress a high-risk fire in a 1000 square kilometer, environmentally challenging area within 10 minutes, leaving any decoy fires untouched. This rapid detection and response capability is essential for effectively managing wildfires and minimizing their impact.
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Frangipani
Top 20
#spacecomputing | Sandi Habinc
This was a new experience for me - recording a podcast led by Sean Hehir - the CEO of BrainChip - where we talked about our collaboration and the benefits of…
Pom down under
Top 20
So true and Sean building an ecosystem will hopefully protect our investment a lot more than trying to go alone.
www.bbc.com
Why are tech stocks so volatile?
Shares in technology firms have both fallen and risen sharply over the past year.
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Olivier Coenen - BrainChip | LinkedIn
Olivier Coenen has been an early pioneer of brain-inspired processing and modeling with… · Experience: BrainChip · Education: University of California, San Diego · Location: San Diego County · 500+ connections on LinkedIn. View Olivier Coenen’s profile on LinkedIn, a professional community of 1...
Wow, Olivier our Senior Research Scientist is impressive, I've just read his profile, stints with Sony, Qualcomm and DARPA.
Frangipani
Top 20
Today marks the end of my journey as an ML Research Intern at BrainChip… | FNU Sidharth
Today marks the end of my journey as an ML Research Intern at BrainChip , and I’m incredibly grateful for this amazing experience. Since June 2024, I’ve had…
... also co-inventor of our TENNs patent.Olivier Coenen - BrainChip | LinkedIn
Olivier Coenen has been an early pioneer of brain-inspired processing and modeling with… · Experience: BrainChip · Education: University of California, San Diego · Location: San Diego County · 500+ connections on LinkedIn. View Olivier Coenen’s profile on LinkedIn, a professional community of 1...
Wow, Olivier our Senior Research Scientist is impressive, I've just read his profile, stints with Sony, Qualcomm and DARPA.
Sorry if already posted.
www.linkedin.com
#riscv #spacecomputing | RISC-V in Space
Please take the opportunity to meet and listen to our sponsors and exhibitors at the RISC-V in Space Workshop 2025! Platinum sponsor: Frontgrade…
Tony Coles
Regular
Hi Food4 though, it seems the share price wants to be pushed even further down, not much on the sell side left but someone/entity always wants to sell it down. What are all your thoughts BrainChip team.
Food4 thought
Regular
I am fine with the technology the team , and leadership and it’s just unfortunate that we are where we are.
It’s frustrating
I don’t have any bones to pick at
It’s just along and windy road
I thought we would be further along the commercial route by now.
I look at weebit nano and how well they are doing with only one major signed more to follow I am sure.
But I think when we get moving it will be a steamroller
Or the forums.It is time again not to look at the SP for a while ...
Peoples dot joining are getting tiresome for me. Mr X likes Mrs Y post on LinkedIn, which automatically means that the 2 companies are interrelated?? Really??
Just because I happen to like Lamborghini cars doesn't necessary means I will get one, ever!
I won't, even if BRN went to $1000 a share, I will NOT buy such a car.
So unless there is a huge spike in the SP, I think I will just stay away.
CHIPS
Regular
So true. I like many companies and products on LinkedIn, unfortunately, I do not own any of them nor work there.
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