AR Rescue
Augmented Reality System to Increase Rescuer Safety in Hazardous Environments
Since 2024, the AR RESCUE project has been bringing together research, industry, and end users to develop an augmented reality system for safer operations in CBRN environments. The project is now entering its final stage, accompanied by intensive testing and feedback from firefighters and military personnel. On December 4, 2025, the project team comprising Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU), DefSec Innovation Hub, the company Quanti, and the University of Defence met at Department of Computer Science FEE CTU to present a prototype of the AR RESCUE system during a workshop with target users. The event provided valuable insights that will shape the system’s final development phase.
The system is designed to reduce the risks associated with emergency response operations, enable faster decision-making, and increase the effectiveness of fire and military units during extraordinary events involving hazardous chemical (C), biological (B), radiological (R), and nuclear (N) substances. CBRN operations belong among the most dangerous situations faced by first responders and soldiers, posing risks both to the civilian population and to the responding units themselves.
"The AR RESCUE project integrates vital-sign sensors, environmental sensors, and augmented reality to provide rescue and military units with a fast and clear situational overview during operations. The AR visor displays only the most critical information without distracting the user—such as the positions of colleagues in zero-visibility conditions, warnings about hazardous substances, or signals of impending exhaustion. The system also enables displaying the condition of a patient inside an isolation biobag or receiving messages from the commander without the need to use a radio," says Prof. Miroslav Bureš, lead researcher of the AR RESCUE project and Head of the STILL Lab.
Technology That Works Even with Limited Connectivity
The system is designed for situations where connectivity at the incident site is poor, disrupted, or when radio silence is required. If communication is limited, the system operates in a local mode and provides only those alerts that can be derived from sensors carried by the individual responder.
According to Bc. Jakub Jašek, MSc., representative of the Prague Fire Rescue Service, testing the system under such conditions is crucial: "The opportunity to test these technologies directly in practice is key for us. We see great potential for increasing the safety of our personnel during operations in extremely dangerous conditions."
A Modular Platform for Firefighters and the Military
AR RESCUE is designed as a modular system that can be adapted to different types of operations and integrated with technologies used by the Integrated Rescue System and the Czech Armed Forces. Development feedback is provided by practitioners from a wide range of units, including the 31st Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Regiment in Liberec, the military fire brigade in Týniště nad Orlicí, multiple Fire Rescue Service units including chemical response teams, and the Prague Police pyrotechnics unit.
The principal investigator representing the Military Medical Faculty of the University of Defence, Colonel Hynek Schvach, Ph.D., summarizes: "In CBRN environments, time and precise information are critical. The combination of biomonitoring, hazardous substance detection, and augmented reality has enormous potential. We particularly appreciate that the system can be adapted to different types of military equipment and protective gear."
A significant part of the development focuses on vital-sign sensors. As Assoc. Prof. Pavel Smrčka from the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, CTU, explains. "We integrate vital-sign sensors directly into the base layer of the protective clothing so that they do not obstruct movement while still providing high-quality data. This makes it possible to monitor responders in extreme conditions and also to obtain data for improved training and injury prevention."
The sensors are embedded in a thin layer of functional underwear designed not to interfere with movement, to withstand washing without damaging the electronics, and to provide data of near-medical quality.
How the System Works: From Sensors to the Augmented Reality Visor
The AR RESCUE system consists of three main components that together enable its use in demanding operational environments. The first component includes sensors placed directly on the responder’s body, as well as additional sensors integrated into the equipment for detecting hazardous substances.
The second component is a compact augmented reality visor—a transparent glass positioned in front of one eye. It can be flipped down on a military helmet with an NVG rail, attached to a Fire Rescue Service helmet, or worn on a dedicated headband. Warnings, teammate positions, and other information are displayed in a way that is immediately understandable while minimally obstructing the field of view. Thanks to an optical module that provides a clear image at a distance of approximately 2 to 6 cm from the eye, the visor can be adjusted to different types of equipment and individual user needs, or positioned in front of a breathing apparatus mask.
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Photo credit: DefSec Innovation Hub
The third component is a compact microcomputer with a data transmission module and battery. Its weight is primarily carried on the belt or within the equipment, ensuring comfortable use without overloading the head. The entire system is designed to be as lightweight as possible, mechanically robust, and prepared for future sealing in accordance with standards for protection against water, dust, and high temperatures. "Our goal is to develop technology that genuinely helps rescuers and soldiers—not another device that gets in their way during operations. AR RESCUE should immediately tell the user what matters most: where colleagues are, their physical condition, and what risks surround them. In CBRN environments, the right information can significantly increase effectiveness and reduce operational risk," explains Prof. Miroslav Bureš.
About the AR RESCUE Project
The project started in 2024 and will run until the end of 2026. The final development phase includes completing the hardware and software and conducting intensive field testing. Follow-up projects are expected to move the system toward industrial production—for example, by increasing device durability in accordance with IP66 standards, preparing a small production series for training purposes, and verifying long-term reliability. According to the research team, broader deployment of the technology in operational units can be expected within several years after the completion of the current project.