PHOTOS: Ponderosa.ai is working on developing drone technology aimed at enhancing early wildfire detection and suppression.
Ponderosa.ai’s long-term vision is to create cost-effective, AI drone swarms that can be rapidly deployed to high-risk areas, with the goal of reaching wildfire sites within five minutes.
The goal is for the systems to be mostly autonomous while still collaborating closely with local fire agencies in rapid initial response.
“Every fire that goes out of control causes billions of dollars in damages and destroys communities and lives. Our goal is to increase the percentage of fires we can keep small and protect homes and communities more effectively,” said Ryo Chijiiwa, founder and CEO of Ponderosa.ai.
The company’s current focus involves large, heavy-lift drones capable of carrying up to 80 pounds of cargo, or 10 gallons of water or retardants, to assist firefighters on the ground.
These drones are about 8 feet by 8 feet in size, foldable for transport, and can deliver supplies and conduct hotspot mapping.
