Project: images for Rapid mapping, Enhanced Security and Communications for Universal Emergency services
iRESCUE is a complete novel approach to an integrated application with communication, navigation and earth observation. Based on an award winning innovation concept, iRESCUE will save lives, environment and values. It consists of three CO modules: A) capture of data in the field, B) Processing at a server in an operations center and C) reception and actions in the field by multiple users._x000D__x000D_During emergencies and field assessments, rapidly obtained situational awareness is of paramount importance. The coordination of field activities is one of the most challenging task of organizations such as the United Nations, the European and national security bodies, coast guards and the nations blue-light sectors (police, ambulance, fire department and large and critical infrastructures). iRESCUE solves the challenge of obtaining rapid and accurate situational awareness via high quality visual information from any site anywhere anytime. With a solution optimized for bandwidth limited channels like satellite, TETRA and GSM, iRESCUE focuses on visual information in form of geo-tagged high quality images and supplementary auxiliary data such as audio and sensor measurements. _x000D__x000D_Real time high quality information based on photos from an emergency site contains data of highest value, in particular if they are geo-tagged. But the large size of normal digital photos is too much for emergency communication systems where broadband capacity is not present. Mobile networks can be down, overloaded, unreliable or in other ways limited during emergencies. Designed for voice communication for use by government agencies and emergency services, TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked Radio) has higher availability . However, TETRA networks (both first and second generation) also have very low data capacity. The most robust and available networks are based on mobile satellite communications, such as BGAN, Iridium, Thuraya and Globalstar. Of those with global coverage BGAN has the best performance but again far too low for high quality photos. A typical 5 Mbyte photo over a typical satellite connection would take 10 minutes and could cost 5-10 USD/Mbyte._x000D__x000D_Thus, transmitting visual data from field operations through these networks is slow and expensive, manual geo-tagging is cumbersome and sending visual information and maps back to many user teams just multiplies the challenge. Another challenge is that older maps do not show recent disasters such as fires, floods, earthquakes etc. iRESCUE resolves the communication limitations. By using recent satellite imagery, and creating "Rapid Mapping" for the input geo-tagged field photos, a powerful system emerges. _x000D__x000D_Another major limitation of current systems is to make sure field teams get the same information at the same time. iRESCUE targets these challenges by developing and integrating a robust unicast and multicast distribution to users anywhere in the world. _x000D__x000D_Optimized for communication over narrowband channels, iRESCUE enables rapid overview through efficient audio/visual and sensor communication, providing better situational awareness as well as better coordination of information to people in the field. For global operations, iRESCUE will make it possible to get life saving operations on track several days earlier than with current technologies._x000D__x000D_With a user- and SME-driven consortium, the iRESCUE project is based on globally identified needs with clear market demand and user groups in mind, and on current emergency management research. The consortium consists of one SME technology provider (AnsuR), one SME technology provider and operator (Locus) and a United Nations/UNITAR global operator and user group. All players are in the target sectors, and users will contribute to requirements, design and testing. iRESCUE thus provides a solution to a known missing capability in emergency operations, needed both by the United Nations and blue-light operations. _x000D__x000D_The market size in Europe and beyond is in the order of 1 billion Euros over the next 5 years, as described further within the document. With iRESCUE the consortium is well positioned to capture a significant portion of this market._x000D__x000D_iRESCUE is totally in line with EU Sectorial dossier #9: “Disaster Monitoring, Prevention and Relief Management” as part of the mandate to address standards for use of satellites and space based activities for the global rescue. AnsuR is taking part of this work for EU, providing a list of recommendations to the European Commission. We also have a letter of collaboration from the Government of Amazonas in Brazil to use the system for flooding and environmental management.
| Acronym | iRESCUE (Reference Number: 4593) |
| Duration | 01/04/2009 - 31/03/2012 |
| Project Topic | A novel integrated application iRESCUE combines space based and terrestrial communication, satellite positioning and earth observation. iRESCUE saves lives, environment and values. _x000D_ The market is global, large and broad, including UN, security, blue-light (police, ambulance, fire) and governments. |
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Project Results (after finalisation) |
The CO results are that we:_x000D__x000D_1) have advanced R&D of our solution to market readiness. The solution for visual image communications is competitive._x000D_2) are closer to the market with an improved understanding of the end user needs._x000D_3) have increased the footprint and network of both Ps and prospect clients._x000D_3) have progressed the relations with the European Civil Protection players and the UN. |
| Network | Eurostars |
| Call | Eurostars Cut-Off 2 |
Project partner
| Number | Name | Role | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | AnsuR Technologies AS | Coordinator | Norway |
| 3 | Locus Scandinavia AB | Partner | Sweden |
| 3 | United Nations Institute for Training and Research | Partner | Switzerland |