BELLEVUE, Wash. — A tool developed by start-up company Pano AI using Bellevue-based company T-Mobile's 5G network aims to help spot fires and notify subscribing agencies sooner- allowing for a faster first attack and, optimally, less loss of lives, land and resources.
"We deploy a network of high-definition security cameras on mountaintop locations and we rotate the cameras 360 degrees every minute for the first whisps of wildfire smoke using artificial intelligence," Pano AI CEO and Founder Sonia Kastner said.
The company then uses modern-day software tools to alert first responders and emergency managers of new incidents to help them contain the fire while it's still small, Kastner said.
T-Mobile Executive Vice President of Advanced and Emerging Technology John Saw says the tool is meant to outpace the speed of a typical 9-1-1 call-and-dispatch system.
"When you fight fires, every minute counts," Saw said. "From the tests we've done in Oregon with Portland General Electric and with Pano, they find they can save almost two hours with this system, other than using traditional methods."
T-Mobile and Pano AI say agencies in California, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Colorado are currently using their systems.
"In firefighting, every minute counts- and if you can save two hours, we have the opportunity for our firefighters and public safety workers to suppress these fires before they get out of control," Saws said.
Pano AI says pricing is dependent on a number of factors that vary case-by-case, so there isn't a specific number or range that would apply to most agencies. It does offer demonstrations and consultations on its website.