Dr. Hovannes Kulhandjian, a Fresno State professor, has secured a patent for his new revolutionary firefighting technology designed to help firefighters detect people and animals in heavy smoke, reports Zartonk Media, citing Jason Sarkis Takhtadjian (@realjasonsarkis), a reporter for CBS 47 Fresno, who covered the news.
The invention, titled System and Method for Human and Animal Detection in Low Visibility, includes a handheld device, a drone, and a ground-based unit. These tools were developed to assist firefighters in locating people and animals during emergencies when traditional visibility methods are compromised. The project began as a senior design initiative and was filed for a patent in May 2021. After three years, the patent was officially granted.
With the patent now secured, the Armenian-American inventor’s next steps involve commercializing the invention, moving toward full prototype development, mass production, and global deployment. The goal is to provide this technology to firefighting teams worldwide to improve rescue efforts in low-visibility environments.
CBS 47 Fresno’s reporter and anchor, Jason Sarkis Takhtadjian, covered the story on October 11: “After much anticipation, a Fresno State professor is celebrating an approved patent of new firefighting technology with the goal of saving lives. Dr. Hovannes Kulhandjian created the new invention, and it’s named the System and Method for Human and Animal Detection in Low Visibility. One of the devices is handheld, another is a drone, and the last one sits on the ground. The invention began as a senior design project that allowed firefighters to locate humans and animals in heavy smoke. Back in May of 2021, the doctor filed for a patent, and three years later, the patent was granted. The goal is to now commercialize the invention into full prototype, mass production, and deploy it all across the globe.”
Dr. Kulhandjian’s invention could become a critical tool for improving firefighters’ ability to operate in smoke-filled environments and ultimately save lives.
