Citrus

The Tardigrade Defense System is an autonomous wildfire protection solution designed to help defend homes and critical infrastructure from advancing wildfires by slowing fire progression and increasing the time available for evacuation and emergency response. Inspired by the Eaton fire and resilient survival mechanisms of the tardigrade, the system integrates real-time environmental monitoring, satellite fire detection, and intelligent automation through a network of sensors, APIs, and wireless communications. Using multiple sensors and indicators to monitor and detect nearby wildfire activity. Tardigrade Defense system is designed to use multiple indicators to confirm an approaching threat, strategically positioned 360-degree water cannons activate automatically to saturate the structure, surrounding vegetation, and defensible space while applying an environmentally safe, USDA-certified fire retardant. By combining advanced detection, intelligent decision-making, and targeted fire suppression, the Tardigrade Defense System creates a protective barrier that helps reduce structural damage, improve firefighter response opportunities, and increase the likelihood that homes survive increasingly destructive wildfire events.

Faculty Lead:
Tommy Reyes

Students:
Dominic Zavala, Sevren Roberge, Michael Rodriguez, Nicolas Salazar, Angelina Villa, Bella Alspaugh, Adriel Arraiga, Sayri Nahui

Collaborating Partner:
NASA, Glendora Fire Department

Aligned LA County Sustainability Plan Goals:
Goal 3: Equitable and sustainable land use and development without displacement

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Pitch deck