Samara: Biologically inspired self-deploying sensor networks

Abstract

The early detection of wildfires with monitoring sensors can improve the effectiveness of fire responders, decreasing the destruction of property and saving lives. However, distributing these sensors across a wide area is an expensive and laborsome task. Furthermore, the cost of the sensors themselves may be high, limiting their practicality in instrumenting large wilderness areas. By integrating aerodynamic structures into the sensor module printed circuit board, a reliable aerial deployment mechanism may be constructed.