The system is designed to reduce the risk of interventions, enable faster decision-making, and increase the effectiveness of firefighting and military units in emergencies involving chemical (C), biological (B), radiological (R), and nuclear (N) hazardous substances. CBRN interventions are among the most risky situations in which rescuers and soldiers operate – both the population and the responding units themselves are at risk.
"The AR RESCUE project combines vital signs sensors, environmental sensors, and augmented reality to provide rescuers and military units with a quick and clear picture of the situation during an intervention. The augmented reality visor displays only the most important information that does not distract attention – for example, the position of colleagues in zero visibility, warnings about hazardous substances, or signals of impending exhaustion. The system will also allow the condition of a patient in an isolation biovac to be displayed or messages from the commander to be received without the need to use a radio," says Prof. Miroslav Bureš, head of the AR RESCUE project at the Department of Computers, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague.
Technology that works even with poor connectivity
The system anticipates situations where the signal at the site of the intervention is poor or disrupted, or where radio silence is required. If connectivity is limited, the system runs in local mode and only warnings that can be determined from sensors carried by a specific member of the unit are available.
According to Jakub Jašek, MSc, representative of the Prague Fire Department, testing the system in such conditions is essential: "The opportunity to test these technologies directly in practice is crucial for us. We see great potential for increasing the safety of our people during interventions in extremely dangerous conditions."
Modular kit for firefighters and the army
AR RESCUE is designed as a modular system that can be adapted to different types of interventions and integrated with technologies used by the integrated rescue system and the Czech Army. Feedback on the development is provided by users from a number of Czech Army and Integrated Rescue System units, such as the 31st Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Protection Regiment in Liberec, the military firefighting unit in Týniště nad Orlicí, a number of Fire and Rescue Service units, including the chemical service, and the Prague Pyrotechnic Service of the Police of the Czech Republic.
The main researcher for the Military Medical Faculty of the University of Defense, Col. RNDr. Hynek Schvach, Ph.D., sums it up: "In operations in a CBRN environment, time and accurate information are crucial. The combination of biomonitoring, hazardous substance detection, and augmented reality has enormous potential. We particularly appreciate the fact that the system can be adapted to different types of military equipment and protective gear."
Work on vital signs sensors also forms a significant part of the development. As stated by Doc. Pavel Smrčka from the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering at the Czech Technical University in Prague: "We integrate vital sign sensors directly into the undergarment layer of protective clothing so that they do not get in the way, but at the same time provide high-quality data. This makes it possible to monitor the condition of responders in extreme conditions and also to obtain data for better training and injury prevention." The vital signs sensors are designed to be thin enough to not get in the way during movement, washable without damaging the electronics, and provide data that is practically medical grade.
How the system works: from sensors to augmented reality visors
The AR RESCUE system consists of three main parts, which together enable its use in demanding intervention conditions. The first of these are sensors placed directly on the bodies of responders and other sensors in their equipment that detect hazardous substances.
The second part is a small augmented reality visor – a transparent glass in front of one eye that can be folded down on a military helmet with an NVG rail, attached to a firefighter's helmet, or worn on a special headband. Warnings, the positions of colleagues, and other information are displayed in such a way that they are understandable at a glance and at the same time minimally obstruct the view. Thanks to an optical module that provides a high-quality image at a distance of approximately 2 to 6 cm from the eye, the visor can be adjusted according to the type of equipment and individual user needs, or placed in front of a breathing apparatus mask.
The third part is a compact microcomputer with a data transfer module and battery, which is mainly carried on a belt or in equipment, ensuring comfortable wear without overloading the head. The entire system is designed to be as light as possible, mechanically durable, and ready for future coverage according to standards for protection against water, dust, and high temperatures.
"Our goal is to develop technology that will really help rescuers and soldiers—not another device that will get in their way during an operation. AR RESCUE is designed to immediately tell the user the most important things: where their colleagues are, how they are doing physically, and what risks surround them. In a CBRN environment, the right information can increase the effectiveness and reduce the risk of an operation," explains Prof. Miroslav Bureš from FEE ČVUT.
About the AR RESCUE project
The project has been running since 2024 and will continue until the end of 2026. The final phase of development includes the completion of hardware, software, and intensive field testing. Follow-up projects should move the system towards industrial production – for example, increasing the device's resistance to IP66 standards, preparing a smaller series for training purposes, and verifying long-term reliability. According to the research team, wider deployment of the technology in units can be expected within a few years after the end of the current project.
