Grantee Research Project Results
Mapping Indoor Environments Using Real-time Artificial Intelligence and Localization (M RAL)
EPA Contract Number: 68HERC240019Title: Mapping Indoor Environments Using Real-time Artificial Intelligence and Localization (M RAL)
Investigators: Gaona, Tyler
Small Business: VISIMO, LLC
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: December 1, 2023 through May 30, 2024
Project Amount: $99,799
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2024) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
VISIMO proposes MURAL, an AI-based indoor mapping and localization decision support tool to be utilized by EPA On-Scene Coordinators (OSCs), Regional Response Teams (RRTs), and Special Teams, first responders such as law enforcement and firefighters, as well as private sector stakeholders including insurance firms and building managers.
MURAL will be capable of generating 3D maps in real time, not relying on pre-mapped indoor locations to serve end users in disaster response roles, providing a common operating picture for response teams in real-time with a standalone localization component that does not rely solely on visual data. MURAL will be capable of generating a database of indoor mapped environments as well as the paths that users followed through that environment, providing valuable feedback for end users in response roles, both publicly and privately operated.
Current tools for indoor mapping and localization rely heavily on external hardware sensors, pre-mapping, and wireless connectivity. VISIMO's solution will allow users to access mapping and localization capabilities in unfamiliar indoor environments that are not equipped with such external hardware sensors and pre-mapping, or that have lost Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capabilities in a disaster scenario.
While MURAL will provide value to EPA's disaster response personnel, VISIMO envisions this tool to be of great value to first responders at local, state, and federal levels. Additionally, MURAL can serve as a tool for stakeholders in building management (e.g., commercial, residential, and industrial), firms that produce and sell products for indoor environments (e.g., lighting, HVAC, acoustic materials), and insurance firms, both for emergency response and non-emergency use cases like energy efficiency mapping.
MURAL will improve environmental outcomes through proactive mitigation and real-time response to environmental hazards and disaster scenarios, as well as supporting non-emergency planning, such as energy efficiency mapping.
Progress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.