"We can smell the fire during its very early stages”

Dryad Networks Co-founder and CEO Carsten Brinkschulte has 20 years of mobile network infrastructure experience and a strong serial entrepreneur track record.

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Known for turning around virtual SIM vendor Movirtu, which was sold to BlackBerry in 2014, he has also left his mark on companies like Core Network Dynamics (Twilio) and mobile messaging pioneer Synchronica.

Currently, he is channelling his expertise into a new venture, leveraging the Internet of Things (IoT) beyond conventional applications, envisioning applications beyond obvious use cases; loT as the Internet of NotThings, transforming forests with sensory networks that act as their eyes, ears, and, a sharp nose. Brinkschulte delves into this innovative approach in his interview with Pratima Harigunani. Excerpts:

loT for forest fire detection and action is fascinating. But how is it different or better than what is already being done through solutions based on satellites, cameras and drones?

There is always room for a different approach. The beaten path of cameras and satellites makes sense when you need something to overlook the canopy. But the lifecycle of a forest wildfire, especially human-induced, like fire from a cigarette at a campsite, can be quite complex. It can take time for the spark to turn into flames and to be big enough to be spotted by a camera or a satellite or to produce enough heat to be detected through other methods. From the initial point of a fire to the camera catching this, it can take two to three hours. In forest fires, every minute counts. Time is of the essence.

Do you mean even satellites have a limitation?