Autonomous ground vehicles trialled for wildfire response supplies and PTZ overwatch
Iain Hoey
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Wildfire response demonstration at Camp Pendleton
A demonstration at Camp Pendleton, California, showcased autonomous resupply and wildfire logistics using unmanned ground vehicles and a pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) camera.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and Overland AI demonstrated autonomous resupply, wildfire logistics and fire suppression efforts via PTZ camera for wildfire operations.
ULTRA vehicles and payloads used in the mission
Two of Overland AI’s ULTRA autonomous ground vehicles were piloted by OverDrive, the company’s autonomy software.
The vehicles were described as fully autonomous ground platforms with off-road manoeuvrability and modular payloads.
Payloads referenced in the announcement included a PTZ camera and mission packages designed to deliver food, water, hose, batteries and other critical equipment to remote fire lines.
The coordinated mission described the vehicles autonomously delivering supplies across austere terrain and establishing persistent overwatch.
The vehicles were also described as repositioning to elevated ground to support future communications relay needs.
Deputy Chief Jack Worden, Office of Wildfire Technology, Research and Development at CAL FIRE, said: “This demonstration is in line with what CAL FIRE is trying to do today with our larger autonomy plan and how we see the future of firefighting as a force multiplier.
“That applies not only within CAL FIRE but across the fire service as a whole.”
Overland AI co-founder and chief executive officer Byron Boots said: “ULTRA continues to show how autonomous land systems can strengthen missions from national defense to critical public safety.
“It is an honor to support wildfire operations with our capability.”