SAE TOMORROW TODAY: Fighting Wildfires with AI-Powered Drones

Every year, wildfires result in the loss of thousands of lives, millions of acres, and hundreds of billions of dollars. But the powerful combination of AI and drone technology can change how we fight wildfires and mitigate the loss of life, property, and forests. Data Blanket is a Seattle-based startup developing small fleets of AI-powered drones that autonomously carry out missions for assessing wildfires and relaying vital information to commanders. The data is used to map the perimeter of a fire, overlay locations of firefighting crews and equipment, and ultimately contain the blaze by creating boundaries. We sat down with Omer Bar-Yohay, Co-Founder & CEO, Data Blanket, to discuss his extensive knowledge and experience in mobility, the future of AI-powered drones, and his passion for electric and eVTOL aircraft technology which won him the inaugural SAE Sustainable Aviation Award in 2022. SAE Awards honor the very best in mobility, recognizing the extraordinary achievements of executives, engineers, students, and educators. If you want to learn more, serve on a selection committee, or nominate a deserving colleague---or yourself---send an e-mail to awards@sae.org.