Red Dot Award: Design Concept 2024

Designing the future of forest firefighting

As wildfires continue to ravage regions around the world, the recent devastating fires in Los Angeles serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for innovative solutions. In response to this growing crisis, Li Haolin from Jiangnan University has designed a project that optimises firefighting through improved functionality, communication, mobility, resource management, and risk mitigation. The project, titled “Innovative Design of Products and Systems for Forest Fires”, was awarded a Red Dot: Best of the Best and was among the top nominees for the Red Dot: Peter Zec Prize 2024.

Li Haolin’s design concept offers a comprehensive approach to addressing the unique challenges faced by professional forest firefighting teams. The equipment, which is meticulously tailored for specific firefighting scenarios, includes full-body protective gear, a conceptual fire extinguishing module, and an all-terrain motorised sprayer.

State-of-the-art protective gear

The full-body protective gear is equipped with the latest technology to maximise the safety and efficiency of the firefighters. With its sleek, futuristic design, the gear is reminiscent of something out of a superhero movie and evokes associations with icons like Iron Man. From the multifunctional helmet with head-up display (HUD) to the powered exoskeleton that increases strength and endurance, the equipment combines advanced functionality with an eye-catching aesthetic. Firefighters equipped in this suit of armour-like gear are well protected and can master dangerous environments with precision and resilience – a symbol of a new era in firefighting equipment.

Revolutionary firefighting tools

The conceptual fire extinguishing module introduces mixed foam agents for efficient fire extinguishing. The off-road motorised sprayer boosts mobility and resource efficiency, while auxiliary robots and an underground fire detection UAV facilitate residual fire clean-up. The chest-mounted UAV has been specifically designed to find underground sparks after surface fires have been extinguished, thus reducing the risk of re-ignition. These innovations provide seamless integration and easy control, increasing the efficiency and safety of firefighting operations while simultaneously utilising existing command systems.

A vision for the future

Li Haolin's innovative approach to fighting wildfires shows how design can help solve global challenges. By integrating advanced technology and thoughtful design, his project aims to improve the safety and efficiency of firefighter teams. With wildfires continuing to threaten ecosystems worldwide, this project sets a new standard for design excellence and environmental responsibility.

To the interview with Li Haolin