New AI satellite can spot bushfires 500 times faster, scientists say [Video]

Australian scientists say they’re nearing a breakthrough that will allow AI-equipped satellites to spot bushfires from space 500 times faster than current techniques allow.

A project funded by the SmartSat CRC and led by the University of South Australia has used cutting-edge onboard AI technology to develop an energy-efficient early fire smoke detection system for South Australia’s first cube satellite, Kanyini

The satellite sensor captures reflected light from Earth in different wavelengths to generate detailed surface maps for various applications, including bushfire monitoring, water quality assessment and land management.

The AI onboard model also detected fire smoke 500 times faster than traditional on-ground processing.

“Smoke is usually the first thing you can see from space before the fire gets hot and big enough for sensors to identify it, so early detection is crucial,” lead UniSA researcher Dr Stefan Peters said.

Using a past fire event in the Coorong region …