AURA Foresight Wins XPRIZE Wildfire Award for Autonomous

AURA Foresight has won a $500,000 XPRIZE Wildfire award for its autonomous drone wildfire detection and suppression system. The award, announced on September 24, 2026, followed successful Finals Testing near Nenana, Alaska, where the team met the competition's critical 10-minute detection gate. The challenge required monitoring a 1,000 square kilometer area for eight hours to autonomously detect, locate, and suppress controlled incipient fires. The award ceremony was held at the New York City Fire Museum.

How the detection-verification-response chain operates

The system integrates fixed optical and thermal sensing, AI, and drone swarms into a single operational chain. It pairs the operational detection platform of Tasmanian company Fire Foresight with UK-led expertise in swarm robotics and autonomous aerial systems. Each potential ignition is first identified through AI-assisted camera detection. Terrain models and multiple camera views then locate it. An investigation drone verifies the threat using optical and thermal imagery. Finally, swarm-coordination software directs aircraft for targeted suppression. The team proved this detect, verify, and act chain can operate under demanding field conditions using commercially available cameras, communications gear, and aircraft.

Rob Vernon, founder of Fire Foresight and co-lead of AURA Foresight, explained the necessity. "Wildfire does not wait while information passes from one system or organisation to another. Detection, verification and response must work as one operational chain."

Tasmanian fire detection network to expand with aerial capabilities

Fire Foresight is helping build the Tasmanian Integrated Fire Camera Network, which is planned to exceed 40 sites. Once complete, it will become the largest integrated bushfire detection camera network in Australia. The statewide system will connect camera coverage, AI-assisted detection, 24/7 human verification, terrain-based geolocation, lightning intelligence, and real-time environmental telemetry. People retain authority over all operational decisions. The next planned phase adds the aerial investigation capabilities proven by AURA Foresight. Fire Foresight's current services cover 3.3 million hectares.

Global deployment planned beyond the competition

Partners will pursue deployment projects for the XPRIZE Impact Phase across Australia, Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. Pathways include a fire-resilient landscapes initiative in Africa and continued work with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service in the United Kingdom. The AURA Foresight consortium includes the University of Bristol, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, the University of Sheffield, Indicium Dynamics, RoboticsCats, Taz Drone Solutions, Skyfly Drones, and Little Place Labs.

Dr. Georgios Tzoumas, the AURA Foresight co-lead and a senior research associate at the University of Bristol, highlighted the approach. "By combining AI, swarm robotics and close collaboration with firefighters, we’re showing that it’s possible to tackle wildfires while they are still small." XPRIZE Wildfire launched in 2023 as a four-year, $11 million global competition. Partners will now pursue deployment projects for the XPRIZE Impact Phase across Australia, Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America.