In a remarkable display of innovation from Silicon Valley’s next generation, Valley Christian Schools (VCS) has announced new partnerships with Kaizen Aerospace and SensoRy AI to strengthen its Wildfire Quest initiative—one of only 15 semifinalists in the $11 million XPRIZE Wildfire competition. The collaboration integrates heavy-lift drone capabilities and cutting-edge fire detection systems to revolutionize how the world combats wildfires.
Next-Gen Collaboration for Wildfire Defense
The partnership enhances VCS’s autonomous wildfire response system with industry-grade technology. Kaizen Aerospace brings its xNav™ AI mission navigation and heavy-lift drone expertise—capable of carrying payloads up to 1,000 pounds—to execute rapid aerial suppression. Meanwhile, SensoRy AI, founded by Ryan Honary, contributes its patented multi-sensor detection platform, capable of spotting wildfires from thousands of feet away and reporting them within minutes.
Empowering Youth-Led Innovation
The Wildfire Quest team, composed entirely of high school innovators from San Jose, is the only high school team worldwide to reach the semifinals of the Autonomous Wildfire Response track. Their mission: to develop a fully autonomous system capable of detecting and extinguishing wildfires in under 10 minutes.
“Wildfire response is one of the most important real-world applications of autonomous flight,” said Ziv Marom, President and Founder of Kaizen Aerospace. “We’re proud to help turn bold ideas into field-ready tools that can save lives and ecosystems.”
Industry Mentorship and Technological Impact
With guidance from Professor Kavehpour of UCLA’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and support from the Orange County Fire Authority, the team is preparing for field testing this fall. By integrating professional-grade technology from Kaizen and SensoRy AI, the students aim to significantly improve early detection, prioritization, and suppression of wildfires.
Inspiration and Legacy
“Wildfire Quest is showing the world that age is no barrier to making an impact,” said Ryan Honary, Founder of SensoRy AI. “I began SensoRy AI in high school too, so their journey resonates deeply. Together, we’re delivering an end-to-end wildfire detection and suppression system that could redefine early response.”
About the Partners
Kaizen Aerospace develops heavy-lift autonomous drones equipped with AI-driven mission navigation for aerial firefighting and industrial use.
SensoRy AI, led by Ryan Honary, provides field-tested wildfire detection systems capable of identifying fires in their incipient stages from miles away.
Valley Christian Schools’ AMSE Institute empowers K–12 students in STEM innovation through hands-on research in aerospace and environmental technologies.
