Case Study: Pioneering WiFi-Based Fire Detection Technology with University of New South Wales (UNSW) and Envision

About the CFLII Programme

The Cargo Fire and Loss Innovation Initiative (CFLII), led by Safetytech Accelerator, is a cross-industry collaborative technology programme aimed at reducing the risk and frequency of incidents through collaborative and targeted introduction of cutting-edge technology into maritime environments.  The initiative aims to develop and implement cutting-edge technologies that exceed current safety standards, ultimately contributing to safer global shipping.  The programme is divided into sub-themes, based on priorities chosen by the Anchor Partners, the first of which, was ‘early fire detection in the cargo hold’.  

The Challenge

The Anchor Partners, including major shipping companies like Evergreen, ONE, and Maersk, joined the CFLII programme in response to the growing industry-wide threat posed by the increasing frequency and severity of container ship fires. On average, a fire breaks out on a container vessel once a week, posing a high and unacceptable risk to the crew, cargo, and environment. The existing fire detection systems are based around smoke extraction from the hold and as a result are slow, and often fail to provide early warnings to crew. The challenge was to find a faster, more accurate, and cost-effective fire detection solution that could be implemented on existing and new ships without causing significant operational disruption. 

The Solution: Innovative fire detection technology using WiFi/ radio-wave disruption analytics.

The CFLII programme partnered with the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and Envision Systems to explore a unique system that leverages WiFi radio waves to detect environmental hazards such as fires and gas leaks. The technology detects subtle variations in radio signals caused by changes in the environment, such as increasing temperatures that could indicate a fire. Advanced AI algorithms process the signal data to characterise specific events from the radio signatures and differentiate between real threats and false alarms, providing rapid and accurate hazard identification. The systems uses existing WiFi infrastructure, meaning it can work in many geographies and co-exist with other vessel WI-FI set ups.  

 

 

 

 

 

Testing the Technology

Testing was conducted to assess the performance of the Envision sensor system in a variety of real-world scenarios. Trials took place in both controlled environments, such as university labs, and operational settings, including container warehouses and ships. Notable tests were conducted on Anchor Partner vessels, including the EVER BOARD and NYK FUTAGO, as well as in a logistics hub. These tests involved simulating real fire conditions to evaluate how the system performed in detecting early-stage fires in the cargo holds. The system’s ability to function seamlessly in harsh maritime environments, such as vibrations and humidity fluctuations, was a critical aspect of the trials. 

Container Warehouse at a Container Warehouse:  

 

 Installation in NYK FUTAGO

Installation in EVER BOARD

 

The Results

The technology successfully detected temperature changes within seconds, with an accuracy of +/- 1 degree Celsius, and quickly pinpointed the location of potential fire hazards. Even in the challenging conditions of a containership, the system performed reliably without interference from other onboard radio systems. The ease of installation and minimal maintenance requirements make it a practical solution for both retrofitting existing vessels and integrating into new ship designs. Its scalability is another significant benefit, as additional sensors can be added at a low cost to further enhance detection accuracy. 

Possible Impact on the Maritime Sector

The introduction of Envision’s fire detection technology could be a game-changer for the maritime industry. By providing faster, more accurate fire detection, it has the potential to significantly reduce the risk of catastrophic fires on container ships, which would improve safety for crew members and cargo. Moreover, the cost-effectiveness and scalability of the system make it an attractive solution for widespread adoption across the industry. The technology’s ability to work with existing ship infrastructure ensures that it can be easily implemented, paving the way for a safer and more secure future in global maritime operations.  

Next Steps

The CFLII programme, along with UNSW, Envision, and its Anchor Partners, will continue refining and validating the fire detection system in a range of real-world maritime environments. This collaboration aims to expedite the path to commercialisation and contribute to enhanced safety in the maritime industry. 

UNSW/Envision’s innovative approach truly surprised us at ONE. The concept of using WiFi radio waves to detect fire was completely unexpected. Given our experience in an industry often constrained by conventional regulations, we see fewer barriers with this technology. We believe it is on the fastest path to commercialisation.” – Shunsuke Fujisaki, Deputy General Manager at ONE 

To find out more about the Cargo Fire and Loss Initiative get in touch here. 

 

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About CFLII   

The Cargo Fire & Loss Innovation Initiative (CFLII), launched in February 2023 by Safetytech Accelerator, unites industry leaders, technology innovators, and maritime stakeholders to advance technologies that prevent and mitigate large-scale cargo fire, loss, and damage at sea. With a focus on enhancing shipping’s reputation as a safe, reliable, efficient, and environmentally responsible link in the global supply chain, CFLII includes leading shipping companies, representing around 50% of the global container capacity, and maritime insurers as its Anchor Partners.   

CFLII Full list of Anchor Partners: Evergreen, Lloyds Register, Maersk, Ocean Network Express, Offen Group, Seaspan Corporation, TT-Club and UKP&I. 

 

About Safetytech Accelerator  

Safetytech Accelerator, established by Lloyd’s Register, is the first fully dedicated technology accelerator focused on advancing innovation in safety critical industries. Our mission is to make the world safer, more resilient, and more sustainable through the wider adoption of technology.   

 About Envision – Sys. 

Envision-sys, an Australian company, specialises in delivering cutting-edge environmental solutions by combining artificial intelligence (AI) with wireless signal technologies. The company’s roots lie in groundbreaking research from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, focusing on wireless sensing and communication. This research led to significant advancements in harnessing variations in wireless signal propagation to monitor environmental conditions effectively. Envision-sys has successfully demonstrated its sensor systems in a variety of settings, including the iconic Sydney Harbour Tunnel, a container warehouse, and trials aboard several containerships, further showcasing its practical applications in real-world scenarios.