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December 5, 2011

New Sensor System Tracks Firefighters Where GPS Fails


Firefighters risk their lives every time they run into a burning building. But, new technology may soon be watching their backs, no matter how far they venture into the flames and smoke. With support from the National Science Foundation, TRX systems is developing a new sensor system that can track firefighters where GPS units often fail. Firefighters who are currently testing the new system wear a portable device called the Sentrix tracking unit, which is actually a suite of sensors that can be tracked on laptop computers. TRX CEO Carole Politi says the system can be adapted for tracking miners, soldiers, and other first responders who go inside buildings where GPS won’t work. Politi says the sensor system is designed to save valuable time, as well as lives.

Credit: National Science Foundation


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