As part of the EU research project PROACTIF, project partners from Fraunhofer IZM, Heimann-Sensor, and Riga Technical University met in rural Brandenburg in late October to test technologies intended for future use in firefighting and search and rescue under real-world conditions. The focus was on data acquisition tests as well as the integration of radar, LiDAR, and other sensor systems onto unmanned aerial vehicles.

The demonstrations provided important insights for the project’s future work and facilitated direct exchange between research institutions, technology providers, and end users.

CADUS e.V. (www.cadus.org) made a significant contribution to the success of the trials. Since the delivery of the drone platform planned for the project was delayed, the association provided a DJI Matrice M300 RTK —including the RTK system and battery pack—on short notice. In addition, Dr. Corinna Schäfer supported the trials as a remote pilot and accompanied the test flights on site.

The availability of an RTK-capable platform enabled precise positioning during the flights, thereby improving the quality and comparability of the measurement data collected.

As part of the practical testing in Wiesenburg, various application scenarios for fire department rescue operations were evaluated. CADUS e.V.’s practical experience was incorporated into the evaluation of these scenarios. Based on these use cases, measurement data (IR camera, LIDAR, radar) was collected and is now being analyzed at Fraunhofer IZM, Riga Technical University (RTU), and Heimann-Sensor. The results of the tests will be incorporated into the ongoing work of the PROACTIF project. The goal of the project is to develop technological solutions designed to support emergency responders in managing crisis and disaster scenarios in the future.