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Gaze-driven, head-worn augmented reality system for firefighters in both urban and wild fire operations with the use of thermal imaging and Android data

Chalimas Theodoros

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Summary

Despite recent advancements in technology and organizational measures, firefighting remains a perilous profession. To enhance safety and operational efficiency during firefighting operations, there has been a growing exploration of integrating sensors and technological systems. One notable technological advancement in this field is the utilization of augmented reality (AR) technology. AR technology has emerged as a promising tool for firefighters, offering enhanced visualization capabilities on the field, to augment their performance. By leveraging modern augmented reality head-mounted displays, equipped with an array of sensors such as thermal cameras and advanced user interfaces such as gaze tracking, firefighters can gain enhanced situational awareness by sensing and understanding the environment around them.This thesis introduces two systems developed using the Unity development engine, targeting distinct firefighting scenarios. The first system addresses fire and rescue operations, where thick smoke poses a significant challenge. By integrating a heat-wavelength infrared camera with the Microsoft HoloLens 2, thermal data can be streamed directly to the operator's field of view, enhancing their perception in smoke-filled environments. Unlike conventional handheld thermal cameras, this approach maintains the operator's ability to use their hands effectively.The second system focuses on wildfire situations, enabling live tracking of each firefighting team member and displaying their locations on a 3D map, accessible remotely on a computer. Moreover, an augmented reality headset provides the team captain on the field with intuitive visual signals communicating their teams’ location. This setup facilitates real-time location representation of all members for both the team captain and those operating remotely, such as personnel in offices or headquarters.By leveraging the advancements in AR technology and addressing the need for seamless communication, the proposed systems aim to augment firefighters' capabilities, improving their safety and operational effectiveness in challenging firefighting situations.

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