Dryad Networks, a provider of early detection of wildfires, has announced a strategic partnership with Kinéis, a French satellite operator and global IoT connectivity provider. This collaboration will integrate Kinéis’ direct-to-satellite capabilities into Dryad’s next-generation Silvanet wildfire sensors, enabling new deployment possibilities.
Dryad’s solar-powered gas sensors, enhanced with AI, monitor and detect early signs of wildfires by analysing air quality and identifying gas patterns indicative of fires. When integrated with Kinéis’ satellite constellation, the network will transcend terrestrial limitations, ensuring near real-time global connectivity.
This partnership facilitates the early detection of wildfires even in remote areas lacking terrestrial network coverage. Critical alerts will be sent to authorities via Kinéis’ 25 satellites, significantly improving emergency response capabilities and aiding in the preservation of natural areas and protection of critical infrastructure. Power line and rail companies, which face unique wildfire risks due to their assets spanning vast, remote areas, will particularly benefit from this enhanced sensor coverage.
The integration of Kinéis’s satellite technology with Dryad’s sensors addresses the challenges posed by limited terrestrial network coverage, enabling straightforward and cost-efficient direct sensor-to-satellite communication. This development offers unparalleled wildfire detection and prevention along critical corridors, especially for installations on linear infrastructure such as powerlines or railways, and in difficult terrains such as mountainous regions.
The direct-to-satellite connectivity simplifies installation, making Silvanet’s wildfire sensors more cost-effective and ensuring continuous, reliable detection in remote areas, which is crucial for wildfire mitigation efforts.
When combined with the Silvanet LoRaWAN Mesh Gateways, Kinéis’ space IoT connectivity will guarantee uninterrupted service even if terrestrial connectivity is disrupted or sensors are located outside the range of gateways. Over the next three years, Dryad and Kinéis aim to deploy hundreds of thousands of these IoT terminals globally.
The companies’ technologies are built on compatible satellite IoT protocols, ensuring seamless integration. Using Semtech’s advanced chipsets, which combine terrestrial LoRaWAN and Kinéis’ satellite connectivity into a single solution, this integration ensures users can deploy products with both terrestrial LPWAN and satellite connectivity. The first products based on this integration are expected to be available before the end of the year.
‘‘We are excited to collaborate with Kinéis, as this partnership not only broadens our technological capabilities but also aligns with our mission to provide comprehensive wildfire protection. Integrating Kinéis’s satellite technology with our Silvanet sensors adds a vital layer to our detection ecosystem, especially for linear infrastructure, while reinforcing our commitment to the LoRaWAN mesh networks,” said Carsten Brinkschulte, CEO of Dryad Networks.
Alexandre Tisserant, CEO of Kinéis, added: “Dryad Networks is at the forefront of ultra-early fire detection, making them the ideal partner for this expansion. By combining our satellite capabilities with Dryad’s innovative sensors, we are creating a truly global, adaptable solution tofight the growing threat of wildfires all over the world.”
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