Recently, the Department of Homeland Security funded the Qwake Technologies brand with a $1.4 million contract to harness the commercialisation of a visual communication platform. The C-THRU platform is an AR helmet for firefighters, which uses AR and computer vision to promote situational awareness. This critical technology could be the key to safely fighting fires and rescuing lives in terrifying situations.
Qwake Technologies hasn’t been around for long, the company began in 2015 with John Long, Sam Cossman, Mike Ralston, and Omer Haciomeroglu, who have joined forces with extensive backgrounds in neuroscience, scientific exploration, firefighting, and product design to deliver the new AR system.
Changing the Way Teams Fight Fires
According to Cossman, in the last 30 years, firefighting technology has improved one small step at a time. However, recently, the landscape has seen a significant shift in the way that information is collected, shared, and leveraged effectively. This promises dramatic changes in efficiency and safety. By creating better firefighter tools, companies can use resources more cost effectively, and teams can save more lives and homes in the process.
According to Ralston, by reducing the amount of time required to extinguish a fire or find a victim just a little, it’s possible to significantly reduce the massively disruptive effects on businesses and communities too.
The immersive C-THRU platform includes a helmet-mounted device and a dedicated tablet application which runs video software and command coordination software, as well ass an archive of incidents, AR navigational tools, object detection, and proximity detection for firefighters. The product weighs around the same as two iPhones, and it’s totally hands-free, replacing clunky tools like radios and flashlights.
Stepping into the Future
The combined features of the C-THRU headset will simplify understanding through a host of visual cues, while offering support to first-responders in difficult situations. The product was also recently field tested as part of a commercial debut with the fire department in Boston. According to Chief Marty McCormack from the training division of the Boston Fire Department, this technology is one of the first he’s seen that could change the game.
C-THRU allows crews to navigate dangerous environments faster while staying connected over a shared picture to save property and lives. The trial was a massive success for Boston, and Qwake is planning on continuing expansion, growth, and opportunities for different industries like human exploration and military training. The product is already available to reserve on the Qwake website for a $100 down payment.
The team hopes to have the full C-THRU experience ready for use by consumers in various industries within the next 12 months, so teams interested can consider preorders now.
