AI Drone Software Revolutionizes Search and Rescue Operations

British Mountain Rescue volunteers have developed an innovative AI-powered drone system that’s changing the game for Search and Rescue missions. The software, called SARDO, scans landscapes far more efficiently than human eyes, and has already proven its worth in real-world scenarios. This groundbreaking technology was reported by Wired in a recent article.

A Tragic Catalyst for Innovation

The story begins with the disappearance of Charlie Kelly, a 56-year-old hillwalker who went missing in the Scottish Highlands in September 2023. Despite an extensive search effort involving multiple rescue teams, helicopters, and conventional drones, Kelly remained unfound for over six weeks.

Enter the DIY Drone Software

Dan Roach and David Binks, two Mountain Rescue team members from the Lake District, had been developing a new drone piloting and image analysis software in their spare time. When they heard about the ongoing search for Kelly, they saw an opportunity to test their system.

“I’d heard this search was going on,” Binks said, “and I kept thinking this would be quite a good place to try and test the system out.”

How the Software Works

The software automates the search process in three key ways:

1. It plans efficient flight paths for drones to photograph the ground thoroughly.
2. It calculates precise grid references for each pixel in the captured images.
3. It analyzes the images to identify unusual color clusters that might indicate a person.

Crucially, the system operates offline, making it ideal for remote locations.

A Breakthrough in the Search

On October 24, Binks and Roach traveled to Glencoe with their software. Within the first hour of deploying their drones, they located Charlie Kelly’s body in a gully that had been previously searched.

Brian Brathurst, a deputy team leader for Glencoe Mountain Rescue, explained the challenging terrain: “There’s a lot of boulder fields, there’s a lot of gully systems, and you could walk within five or 10 meters of somebody and not see them.”

The Power of AI in Search and Rescue

The software’s ability to detect subtle color differences proved crucial. “To the human eye that’s really hard to pick out,” Binks explained. “But to the computer, it’s just totally different to the surroundings—and so it stands out like a sore thumb.”

Looking to the Future

Since its successful debut, the software has been used in multiple other searches, mostly to help eliminate areas of interest. The creators have no plans to commercialize their innovation, instead offering it for free to search and rescue teams.

DroneXL’s Take

This homemade AI Drone Software represents a significant leap forward in drone technology for search and rescue operations. It showcases how innovation in the Drone Industry often comes from unexpected places – in this case, volunteer rescue workers rather than tech giants.

The software’s ability to operate offline and analyze images for subtle color differences could be game-changing for search and rescue missions worldwide. It’s a powerful reminder of how drones, when coupled with smart software, can quite literally save lives.

As we’ve seen in recent DroneXL articles about drones in first responder scenarios, this technology has the potential to significantly reduce search times and increase the chances of successful rescues. It’s another example of how drones are becoming an invaluable tool for emergency services.

What are your thoughts on this AI-powered drone software for search and rescue? Share your opinions in the comments below.

Photo courtesy of Mountain Rescue England and Wales.