Bushfire Surveyor System
We partnered with CSIRO to design a robust, offline-first survey system that helps researchers collect, validate, and act on critical bushfire data, faster and with greater accuracy.
- Government
- Product Strategy & Discovery
- Mobile App Development
About the Client
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is Australia’s national science agency and one of the most respected research institutions globally. CSIRO plays a pivotal role in advancing scientific solutions to complex challenges, including bushfire preparedness, climate resilience, and environmental data collection. They partner with industry, government, and communities to translate science into real-world impact.
The Challenge
In the wake of increasingly severe bushfire seasons, CSIRO needed a faster, smarter way to collect and process data from field researchers and environmental scientists. Their existing methods were:
- Manual and fragmented, relying on paper-based or spreadsheet-based data collection
- Difficult to scale, especially in remote or emergency-affected regions
- Prone to human error and lacked real-time validation or synchronisation
- Slow to process, delaying critical modelling and decision-making
CSIRO approached Rocket Lab to help build a robust digital system that could streamline bushfire survey data collection and integrate seamlessly into their research workflow.
The Solution
We designed and developed the Bushfire Surveyor System, a custom web and mobile application built for environmental fieldwork. Key elements of the solution included:
- Cross-Platform Mobile App. A responsive, offline-capable app for use on tablets and mobile devices in the field, allowing researchers to collect geotagged bushfire survey data, upload photos, and complete structured forms.
- Web Admin Portal. A secure dashboard for researchers and project managers to configure surveys, monitor data collection progress, and export datasets for analysis.
- Real-Time Sync & Offline Mode. Designed for harsh and remote conditions, the app stores data locally and syncs automatically when connectivity is restored, ensuring nothing is lost during surveys.
- Data Validation & Consistency Checks. Built-in form logic reduces input errors and enforces data quality standards, improving the integrity of datasets used in CSIRO’s predictive models.
- Custom API Integration. Seamless integration with CSIRO’s internal databases and GIS systems for downstream processing, reporting, and scientific modelling.
Next step
Building something like CSIRO?
Book a free 30-minute call. No pitch deck, no obligation. We will tell you if we are the right fit.
Julien Lamy
Founder and Fractional CPTO
You talk to the people who build it, not an account manager.
The Results
The Bushfire Surveyor System has significantly improved how CSIRO conducts and manages bushfire-related fieldwork:
- More accurate and complete data collection
- Faster turnaround from field to analysis
- Real-time visibility across multiple survey teams and locations
- Improved data governance and traceability
- Stronger resilience in the face of future environmental events
The system is now a core part of CSIRO’s bushfire research toolkit, enhancing Australia’s capacity to plan, respond, and recover from natural disasters.
Why it worked
We turn complexity into clarity
We translated CSIRO’s scientific processes into intuitive, field-ready tools with built-in logic and validation.
We’re not just builders, we’re product thinkers
We designed with empathy for scientists working in high-stakes, outdoor conditions.
We plan with purpose, act with intent
From offline syncing to custom API hooks, everything was designed to serve CSIRO’s research goals.
We care deeply
This was more than just a project: it was a chance to support science that protects lives and land.
We integrate, not just collaborate
We worked side-by-side with CSIRO’s research, data, and engineering teams to ensure smooth deployment and adoption.
Key Stats
- Use Case
- Bushfire survey data collection and analysis
- Platforms
- Web, iOS, Android (tablet-optimised)
- Offline Mode
- Full functionality with sync-on-connect
- Forms & Workflows
- Customisable by project and region
- Data Volume
- Thousands of datapoints collected and validated annually
- Integrations
- Internal CSIRO systems, GIS, and scientific models
- Security
- Role-based access, data encryption, audit logging
- Time to Launch
- ~40 weeks from discovery to production
