Fire Bridge Life Saver Drone

This paper has presented the design, implementation, and prototype validation of the Fire Bridge Life Saver Drone — an integrated autonomous UAV and extendable bridge system for high-rise fire emergency evacuation. By combining GPS-based autonomous flight, dual-mode (normal + thermal) camera surveillance, real-time IoT telemetry, and a motor-actuated telescopic rescue bridge into a single coordinated platform, the system addresses the core limitations of conventional fire rescue methods.   Prototype testing confirmed stable bridge extension and retraction, scaled single-person load bearing, functional thermal surveillance in simulated smoke conditions, and reliable autonomous Return-to-Home behaviour. The system eliminates the need for rescue personnel to enter fire zones, provides an aerial escape pathway unrestricted by building height, and significantly reduces evacuation response time.   Future development will focus on: (i) strengthening the bridge frame for multi-person load capacity; (ii) replacing manual switch control with fully autonomous microcontroller-based bridge deployment; (iii) integrating proximity sensors for automatic building alignment and safe bridge docking; (iv) implementing wireless remote operation for complete ground-station-only control; (v) developing a foldable compact design for transport in emergency vehicles; and (vi) incorporating heat-resistant and fireproof materials for operation in extreme-temperature proximity conditions.

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