Pyronear, pour détecter les feux de forêts précoces

Introduction to Matthéo L'Anline

Background and Early Career

• Matthéo L'Anline, 33 years old, was born in Nîmes, grew up in Madagascar, and later moved to Bordeaux.

• He studied telecommunications engineering; however, he entered the field just after the initial hype surrounding AI algorithms.

• Initially self-taught in AI upon entering his first companies due to a lack of formal training at that time.

Involvement with Data for Good

• Matthéo joined an association called Data for Good, which connects project leaders with volunteers focused on social impact.

• He participated in health-related projects and collaborated with others to develop new functionalities or improve existing ones during volunteer work.

Creation of Pyonir

Concept Development

• The idea for Pyonir emerged from a collaboration with François Guillaume during their work at Data for Good.

• They recognized the need for a comprehensive solution rather than just sharing code online; thus, they aimed to create a complete system.

Addressing Wildfire Detection

• Pyonir is described as an open solution for early detection of forest fires exacerbated by climate change.

• The solution aims to reduce fire incidents caused primarily by human activity (9 out of 10 cases in France).

Technical Implementation

System Functionality

• The system involves installing cameras and Raspberry Pi micro-computers at high points in forests to monitor environmental conditions every 30 seconds.

• Upon detecting smoke, it sends alerts along with images to firefighters for quick validation and action.

Collaboration with Firefighters

• Early user interviews were conducted with firefighters to ensure the system met their needs effectively.

• Initial installations faced challenges such as communication issues and signal loss but provided valuable insights into real-world application.

Firefighters' Alert Systems and International Collaboration

Communication and Alert Mechanisms

• Firefighters rely on various alert systems to receive notifications about incidents. They work with multiple departments to ensure effective communication.

• The organization initially hesitated to expand due to the need for a stable solution but is now ready for deployment in France and internationally, including a significant partnership with Chile.

• Each department has unique requirements; thus, several solutions are proposed, allowing customization based on specific needs (e.g., flashing screens, messaging signals). Adaptation is key.

Organizational Structure and Mission

• The choice to remain an association rather than commercialize stems from their philanthropic mission: reducing global wildfire impacts effectively through collaboration.

• By staying as an association, they can easily partner internationally without needing local structures, promoting data sharing and accessible coding practices. This approach facilitates global deployment.

• Collaborations with engineering schools and research labs enhance their capabilities while maintaining a focus on community-driven efforts within the open-source framework.

Growth and Community Engagement

• Currently, the team consists of 11 members, with two working full-time; there’s a goal to expand this core team for better management of partnerships and volunteer communities.

• Initially operating on a volunteer basis during evenings and weekends, they recognize the necessity of dedicated staff for daily operations and community engagement moving forward.

Deployment Success Stories

• A successful deployment occurred in Fontainebleau during summer after testing the system previously; four stations were installed around the forest area leading to early fire detection (56 minutes ahead). This was seen as a significant achievement.

• The implementation included triangulation functionality that allows multiple stations to detect fires simultaneously, improving location accuracy significantly when cross-referencing signals from different sources.

Installation Efficiency

• Recent deployments have been designed for ease of installation; firefighters can set up systems independently within half a day using pre-mounted equipment sent via postal service—demonstrating efficiency in emergency preparedness strategies.

Hybrid Model of an Association

Overview of the Organization's Structure

• The organization operates under a hybrid model, combining commercial activities with public and private funding to sustain its operations.

• The primary goal of commercialization is to cover ongoing expenses while also receiving subsidies from various sources, including governmental support.

Support for Open Source Initiatives

• There is a strong commitment in France to support open-source projects due to concerns about digital sovereignty; having open code ensures greater control and independence.

• The organization has received backing from the French government, specifically from the Interministerial Digital Directorate, highlighting the importance placed on open-source solutions.

Future Prospects

• The speaker plans to travel to San Francisco next month as part of their acceptance into an NGO incubator that promises increased visibility and potential access to additional funding opportunities.