Tech’s Time in the Gothic Spotlight

@alex_fremont

As Notre Dame burned Monday, technology played a role in saving the 856-year-old Gothic treasure—and could help in rebuilding what was lost.

During the blaze: Parisian firefighters used two HD camera-equipped DJI drones to scope out the fire from above and better angle their hoses. They also sent Colossus, a 1,100-pound remote-controlled robot, into the cathedral to douse the glass-filled nave and stone walls with a high-pressure hose.

Now, the focus turns to rebuilding

France has meticulous digital records to tap, including a 3D map with 1 billion data points produced in 2010 by laser scanning all of Notre Dame’s interior and exterior. There’s also a virtual reconstruction of the cathedral from video game Assassin’s Creed that took 14 months to create.

Big picture: HD eagle eyes in the sky and a robo-first responder helped humans in the 21st century save a Medieval structure. You don’t hear that every day.

+ For rebuilding efforts, France’s Minister for Digital Affairs said the government may accept bitcoin donations.