Firefighting for the future.

Startup Longan Vision developed a functional prototype for the Fusion Vision System (FVS), an augmented reality visor to let firefighters see the unseen. 

Through thermal imaging, environmental analysis, and remote image sharing with command vehicles, the FVS had the potential to offer unprecedented real-time data for firefighters. When you can see through smoke, you can more quickly identify hotspots, locate victims, and detect fire sources — equipping these first responders with a superpower that they haven’t had in 2000 years of organized firefighting. 

It’s like giving a firefighter the vision of Iron Man.

Longan Vision had lots of discussions with firefighters, and interest from the industry. They needed a partner who could dive deeper into the ergonomic design and mature Longan Vision’s product — a team who could turn those insights into ergonomic design opportunities, and execute.

"By bringing human-centred design to our process, Cortex brought our product to the next level."

-Enzo Jia, CEO of Longan Vision
  • Ethnography to see the unseen. Cortex consulted with firefighters at all stages of command to determine use cases and business risks for Longan Vision. Associate Fire Chiefs revealed an acceptable price point, as well as what it would take for them to procure the device in a highly regulated and budget-conscious industry. 
  • Regulatory revelations. Deep analysis of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) regulations (NFPA 1801, NFPA 1971, NFPA 1981, NFPA 1982) revealed a number of material and usage requirements — including that FVS couldn’t modify existing helmets. Our clasp mounting system satisfies this standard, while empowering firefighters to quickly hotswap the device as they rotate in and out of the line of fire.
  • Nimble design for fast-evolving situations. Immersion in the culture of firefighters led to a lightweight, balanced design that won’t occlude firefighters’ vision or mobility — one that’s durable enough to perform under a variety of adverse conditions, and flexible enough to fit seamlessly with existing equipment loadouts. 

Key tasks:

  • Ethnography 
  • Regulatory analysis
  • Concept development
  • Prototyping

The Result.

  • Longan Vision won a national research bid for a contract offered by Innovation Solution Canada, funded by the Department of National Defense (DND).
  • The project was named the IEEE N3XT® Star after exhibiting at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. 
  • Longan Vision was accepted to the Google Cohort Startup Accelerator, and received an LHUB and 15th Rock Ventures investment to fund current operations and push the product to market.

Awards and Accolades: 

Our work on the Fusion Vision System won a Gold International Design Award for Industrial and Life Science Design / Safety Designs.

"Cortex's contributions allowed us to successfully do multiple rounds of investment and propel our project forward."

-Enzo Jia, CEO of Longan Vision

© 2023 Cortex Design Inc.

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