Colorado is on fire and the inventor of FRED, the patented First Responder Ember Drone, feels the urgency of perfecting FRED to capture wildfire embers during outrageously strong winds. The pitch to the National Science Foundation (NSF) has four key questions from epiphany to innovation to challenges to the path market and the team. Reader, I ask that you keep saying, "Where's FRED?"

One tree on fire and where's FRED?

Brad Bartz, the inventor said, "One tree on fire in 80 mile per hour winds spewing firebrand embers being captured by our patented (US 2021 / 0269151 A1) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Controlled Netting System has three key technical innovations. I am asking the NSF to fund these innovations: 1). Size, shape and material of the Netting System, 2). UAV attachment and deployment mechanism, and 3). FRED surviving Wind Tunnel and in-situ (e.g. high winds, no fire) testing."

Malibu, California burned down. FRED, First Responder Ember Drone was born on a solar jobsite with a "storyboard frame with full orange netting" that showed the silhouette of the massive ocean estate that was replacing a home demolished by the Woosley Fire of 2018. The wind driven wildfire spawned Brad Bartz and his ABC Solar Incorporated to build off-grid-fire-stations and that opened his mind for visions of FRED.

Bartz explained, "I saw the silhouette of netting and knew it was designed to handle the high winds of Malibu. As I flew my drone the epiphany of FRED happened. "

Bartz added, "The first partner I mentioned FRED to said, "Brad, never tell anyone this idea ... its crazy." That is really when my mind said this will work. And the best part is that partner is now a believer."

FRED is an unproven, high-impact innovation that will save lives, property and establish a new firefighting zone below the water dropping helicopters and planes.

Bartz knows FRED will work, but he still knows the R and D is going to be a steep climb.

Mr. Don Shaw, president of Roto X Aircraft Manufacturing, a helicopter and heavy lift drone manufacturer said, "Brilliant. Roto X expects its RX eTransporter 1,600lbs lift capacity helicopter drone to be ready for FRED testing late spring 2022. Besides the RX eTransporter, Roto X has made and tested UAV lifting drones from 10kg and up. "

FRED sees a variety of lift capacity drones for specific firefighting efforts. FRED and its deployment systems are designed to port to any heavy lift drone that is on or will be on the market.

When Baumgartner dropped from 65,000 feet his parachute was the most difficult system to design, test and allow to be deployed. Bartz spoke to the parachute designer and I could actually hear his brain work it out that FRED can be built and work. There is nothing straightforward about dealing with wind filled with firebrand embers. Phase I Netting System engineering determines reality and commercial viability.

The FRED operating system (FREDos) incorporates Artificial Intelligence game theory to allow expert pilots training of autonomous operations. The AI is trained to identify the type of tree on fire and have ability to learn and improve attack methods. FREDos is built upon IOT sensor bi-directional data streams that allow command center control and situational awareness. The FREDos is also a guide to deploy non-communicating fixed fire netting systems.

Bartz highlighted, "In the Colorado grass prairie fire I see our FRED firing a javelin grabbing the earth that then deploys its fire netting. One after another along a fire front line."

Besides the science, the NSF is focused on the market opportunity and the "valley of death" to get there. The "Valley of Death" is a technical term for the money needed to survive bringing a product to market and profitability. In all sales we look for the opportunity to solve problems or give pleasure.

FRED's mission is life and property protection. That opens specific low-hanging-fruit markets to generate sustainable revenue. Namely cities and fire departments that are in known high-fire prone areas. A key notation is that recent wind-driven wildfires in California and Australia ran from ignition point to the ocean destroying all in its path.

As mentioned above, the First Responder Ember Drone Seeks National Science Foundation Funding of "Malibu is Burning" is common and serves as a microcosm of FRED's business model. The market in Malibu has these customers, the rich, the cities from Malibu to Simi Valley, LA County Fire Department and the California State Department of Transportation. These customers create several revenue paths for FRED: 1) Operational and Lease Services during wildfire events / seasons, 2) FRED sensor data, 3) Patent Licensing and 4) direct purchase.

FRED is envisioned to be attached to Postal Delivery Drones allowing FRED sensors to watch for potential fire events along the route. As Postal Delivery Drones are keen to test in remote areas like Idaho and Alaska it creates a market for FRED as both remote areas are wildfire prone.

Like a video game FRED will have sensors that count the number of wildfire embers captured or disrupted. It is possible to put a dollar value on each ember and thereby FRED gets paid more by capturing more embers.

FRED meets the NSF mission of funding high-impact innovative research and development.

FRED is under the wing of Brad Bartz founded company ABC Solar Incorporated, circa 2001. Bartz also owns a Japanese internet company he founded in 1990. With ABC Solar direct mechanical, electrical and computer engineering takes place. The internet operations bring deep IOT, networking and AI works that are inhouse and a deep reach into technologists. Bartz is an author, inventor and cutting-edge entrepreneur. Read the patent and see the R and D videos at www.FireNetting.com.

Bartz has spoken to several universities about leading and managing FRED research and development activities funded by NSF. Specific Northern California and Idaho universities with wildfire programs have expressed direct participation interest.

Bartz has an understanding with President Don Shaw for use of his Roto X heavy lift drones for real-world FRED testing spring 2022. Mr. Shaw has manufacturing facilities in Arizona and is opening another location in Torrance, California near Bartz.

Related Links
First Responder Ember Drone - FRED
Forest and Wild Fires - News, Science and Technology

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