Firefighters battle through many obstacles and hindrances when trying to control and extinguish fires among other hazards. Swedish designer, Omer Haciomeroglu, re-imagined the fire-fighters helmet by including a heads up display to offer improved vision and to inform the user of vital and extra information. The prototype has been dubbed the C-Thru Smoke Diving Helmet and is sponsored by the Umea Fire Brigade.

[Image Source: Omer Haciomeroglu]

The helmet basically solves numerous obstacles that often arises in a fire rescue such as low to almost no visibility in highly dense smoke, the need to keep contact with walls to navigate, or the need to carry and constantly check thermal imaging equipment, all in the one device.

The helmet takes advantage of augmented reality vision, a technology which is still seeking a useful application to help finally throw it into commercial devices. During times of low visibility, such as the thick dense smoke emerging from a fire, the visor projects an image over what the wearer sees providing increased visibility, as well as displaying team communication and thermal imaging overlays.

[Image Source: Omer Haciomeroglu]

"The optical thermal camera captures the imaging of the surrounding area and sends the data to the smoke diver leader's handheld device," according to Haciomeroglu's design proposal.

"The data is calculated there and sent back to the helmet. Newly generated 3D wire-frame data is projected by the head-mounted projectors through the retro-reflective front visor of the helmet."

[Image Source: Omer Haciomeroglu]

[Image Source: Omer Haciomeroglu]

The helmet is said to offer reductions in preparation time, which of course is vital in what could be a life-saving effort where time is precious. The helmet could also free up fire-fighters hands with the ability to not have to carry thermal imaging equipment for example.

In addition, the "Selective Active Noise" cancellation feature cancels the sound of the user's breathing and enhances the "potential structural crack and victim sounds in order to provide better information for the smoke diver and better communication with team members."

The design however still remains a concept and has yet to see fruition. However the design certainly highlights the benefits that contemporary technology can offer to such a vital and life-saving occupation. Technology is continuously improving day to day life and it's great to see how it can also benefit our emergency services in the near future.