South Korea has unveiled a breakthrough in shipboard fire safety technology, successfully trialling an AI-based autonomous firefighting system capable of detecting and extinguishing oil fires aboard naval vessels without human intervention.
Developed by the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) under the leadership of Dr Hyuk Lee at its AX Convergence Research Center, the system marks the first time a domestically designed autonomous firefighting platform has been tested and proven in real sea conditions.
Unlike traditional shipboard fire systems, which flood entire compartments upon detection, the new platform uses artificial intelligence to verify the authenticity of a fire and focus its response only on the source, dramatically reducing collateral damage and wasted suppressant.
Using a network of advanced fire detection sensors, AI analysis units, and precision fire monitors, the system achieves over 98% detection accuracy and a foam discharge range of up to 24 m. Reinforcement learning algorithms enable the system to compensate for rolling and pitching motions in real time — a key challenge for maritime fire suppression — allowing stable operation even in sea states of three or higher.
Initial validation took place at a 25 m long land-based simulation facility replicating shipboard compartments, lighting, and conditions. Here, the research team trained the AI to distinguish genuine oil fires from false positives such as welding sparks or heaters. It then successfully suppressed both open-area and shielded oil fires.
The technology was subsequently tested aboard a South Korean Navy amphibious assault ship. In trials, the system precisely targeted and extinguished flames 18 m away amid one-metre waves, recalculating its nozzle angle in real time using six degrees of freedom acceleration data.
KIMM said the innovation overcomes the long-standing problem of blanket suppression systems, which can cause costly water or foam damage and trigger accidentally during false alarms. By firing only at confirmed heat and flame signatures, the AI-based solution offers a smarter, more efficient alternative for future naval and commercial vessels.
