In the landmarke BMBF project TECO researches how a mobile ad hoc wireless sensor network can improve firefighter navigation in harsh indoor environments. The landmarke vision describes a system which does not focus on precise locationing but on providing navigational support which builds on the existing skills of firefighters. During the mission the firefighters themselves deploy the landmarke sensor nodes as they find it the most useful. This system provides navigational support by using the deployed nodes, also known as landmarken, as way points to navigate to important places and to track firefighters moving along the nodes. Landmarken further allow the storage of tactical information. They mark special places and can indicate which spaces have already been searched or which haven’t been explored yet. While exploring the fire field firefighters further collect knowledge about their environment and synchronize their knowledge with fellow comrades to complement their view of the scene.

Selected Publications

External links:

• Projekt Landmarke

Start/End:

2008-2011

Partners:

Institute of Firefighter Education NRW, Draeger Safety, Fire Brigade of the City of Cologne, Interactive Wear, Winckel GmbH & Co. KG, Fraunhofer FIT, University Of Siegen, BIBA GmbH

Research

Topics: Wireless sensor networks, Ubiquitous Computing applications, Navigation and orientation support