SBIR-STTR Award

OBJECTIVES: We propose to demonstrate the feasibility of using wireless networks to monitor and remotely control a number of small-unmanned vehicles. The operator would view video images transmitted via the wireless network from a camera mounted on the front of the vehicle. These vehicles would be used to manage the combustible materials responsible for the fires that consume thousands of acres of forests every summer either by removing the material or by chipping and leaving it. APPROACH: This material is usually second growth forest and, unfortunately, consists of small diameter trees that have little commercial value. These trees cannot usually be harvested in a cost effective manner with the large, expensive equipment developed for larger diameter trees. Forest Robots, LLC. plans to solve this problem by automating small timber harvesting equipment in order to minimize both the equipment and labor cost of harvesting or chipping small trees. The ability to operate these vehicles remotely is key to demonstrating the technical feasibility of our approach to economically harvesting dense stands of small diameter trees. NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: The fire hazard in many forests is increased by small diameter trees which are costly to remove. The technology described in this proposal will allow an operator to monitor and control a number of small, unmanned vehicles. These vehicles will reduce the cost of removing small diameter trees and provide an effective tool for reducing the fire hazard in many forests.

Keywords:
fire suppression; timber harvesting equipment; small autonomous equipment

Human activities have allowed uncharacteristically dense forests of small diameter trees to develop. Fires, which are now suppressed, historically thinned these forests, reducing stand densities by removing weak and suppressed trees. Also, because the species harvested (ponderosa pine western larch, and western white pine) were more resistant to native diseases and insects than the remaining firs and hemlocks, the present forests occupying the inland West are prone to epidemic insect and disease outbreaks as well as catastrophic stand replacing fires. Mechanical means of reducing the forest density before fire is applied appears to have the greatest likelihood of success and may be the safest and cheapest way to improve these "unhealthy" forest conditions. Unfortunately, the large equipment presently used for timber harvesting is expensive and usually not cost effective when used with small diameter trees. The large equipment also causes environmental degradation. Low impact, efficient, safe equipment that could be used to remove and/or redistribute these materials before applying fire would not only benefit the resource but would also help support local economies. The development of specialized timber harvesting equipment that could reduce fuel loads at the lowest possible cost is urgently needed. The purpose of this project is to develop a small, semi-autonomous vehicle for reducing fuels in forests.