Disaster Autonomous Aerial Response Technology

Stottler Henke proposes advancing Disaster Autonomous Aerial Response Technology (DAART) into Phase II, building on a strong Phase I. DAART enables autonomous UAV operations for wildfire monitoring and disaster response, generating real-time fire progression maps while identifying critical zones with rapid changes or hazards. By combining precision mapping with real-time analysis, DAART enhances situational awareness and accelerates response strategies. The system integrates with emergency management networks, providing intelligence to responders. DAART serves as a unifying framework capable of coordinating disparate platforms into an effective response team. DAART integrates with heterogeneous UAV fleets without hardware modifications. Using multi-modal sensor fusion and deep learning, DAART processes visual, thermal, LiDAR, and radiometric sensor data for fire-front mapping, hazard localization, wind field estimation, and vegetation analysis. Onboard computing minimizes latency, ensuring timely decisions. Optimized bandwidth transmits only high-value data. A decentralized swarm coordination system allows UAVs to autonomously prioritize tasks, reconfigure coverage, and share data, enhancing resilience and adaptability. Designed for reliability, DAART remains effective in harsh conditions, including dense smoke, high winds, and degraded communication. DAART’s development pipeline integrates high-fidelity Unreal Engine 5 simulations with an in-house low-fidelity simulator for rapid prototyping and deployment. NASA SBIR Phase II funding will refine DAART’s algorithms, deployment, and scalability, targeting wildfire response, emergency management, and multi-agency coordination.