AI-based rescue system can save people from drowning
Artificial intelligence and autonomous lifeboats should be able to replace lifeguards. The system's response time should be short.
Autonomous lifeboats travel to emergencies on the water.
(Image: Yu Daoyang)
A Chinese research team from the Hefei Institute of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed a robotic system based on artificial intelligence (AI) for rescuing drowning people in swimming lakes. The system was put into operation at the end of October at a lake in the central Chinese province of Henan.
Beaches and bathing lakes are traditionally monitored by lifeguards. However, this poses problems, as not every bathing lake can be monitored continuously. In addition, the lifeguards usually have to monitor a large section. This requires good visibility, a high level of concentration at all times and the ability to react quickly in the event of incidents. However, this is not always the case.
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The Chinese research team has automated the monitoring and rescue of drowning victims through the use of AI, robotics and big data. At the heart of the system are more than 100 cameras that monitor a lake or section of beach visually and using thermal imaging. They detect even the smallest movements on the surface of the water in real time. An AI uses image recognition to determine from the camera images whether a person on the water is in distress and in danger of drowning.
Autonomous lifeboats
The system calculates the exact location of the person in distress and initiates rescue measures. These include autonomous robotic rescue boats (Unmanned Surface Vehicles – USV). However, the USVs are first manually steered to the precise location coordinates of the incident by a person from a distance. Once they reach their destination, the boats switch to full autonomy and begin rescue operations independently. The operators monitor the rescue process, which involves minimal human intervention.
The research team is certain that the use of the AI-based rescue system will make it easier to save many people from drowning. In particular, they emphasize the short reaction time of the system. Drowning victims can be detected more quickly and help can be sent to the scene of the emergency more quickly.
(olb)
