T-Mobile US’ 5G network allows Pano AI to gather high-quality video in at-risk areas
T-Mobile US announced a partnership with Pano AI, which provides disaster preparedness technology solutions, and Portland General Electric to deploy 5G-connected cameras that enable AI-powered active wildfire detection near Portland, Oregon.
The carrier said that this technology will help identify the first signs of wildfires and ultimately stop them before they spread.
Pano AI deploys ultra-high-definition cameras and its artificial intelligence (AI) platform to constantly scan for and identify wildfires in the very early stages, while T-Mobile US’ 5G network allows Pano AI to gather high-quality video in at-risk areas and send “vast amounts” of data to Pano AI’s command center in real time.
“This is why we’ve been focused on building a 5G network for all – not just in densely-populated areas but across the country, into rural communities and remote environments as well,” said Neville Ray, president of technology at T-Mobile. “Pano AI has developed an innovative solution that is poised to save lives and limit the devastation often caused by wildfires.”
“Firefighters are looking for ways to detect, confirm and pinpoint a fire within minutes, and modern technology makes that very possible,” said Sonia Kastner, CEO of Pano AI. “Wildfire detection is especially important in rural and remote areas, and thanks to the long range of T-Mobile’s 5G network, we can bring Pano AI’s solution to some of the most vulnerable locations across the country.”
Last year, nearly 60,000 wildfires burned more than seven million acres of land in the U.S., according to the National Interagency Fire Center. These fires are getting worse over time, due to more severe winds and drier conditions. Pano AI works with utilities, governments, fire authorities, forestry companies, and private land owners to deploy their solution. Portland General Electric is the first to utilize Pano AI on T-Mobile’s 5G network.
“We put the safety of our customers, employees and communities first and this type of innovation allows us to do that by monitoring and detecting wildfires faster and more reliably than other methods,” said Larry Bekkedahl, senior vice president of advanced energy delivery at Portland General Electric. “The stakes are high when it comes to detecting wildfires and we need access to breakthrough technologies and reliable connectivity, which both Pano AI and T-Mobile bring to the table.”
T-Mobile US is already connecting Pano AI cameras to its 5G network in the Portland area and the companies plan to expand their collaboration to more areas across the country.
