Nationwide Cheng Kung College (NCKU) has unveiled a brand new synthetic intelligence (AI) powered system that may detect individuals drowning in water.
The system was developed by a group led by NCKU Division of Hydraulic and Ocean Engineering professor Doong Dong-jiing (董東璟), who demonstrated the expertise at Sundown Platform in Tainan’s Anping District (安平) on Saturday.
The AI-powered gear combines excessive-precision optic cameras with deep-studying algorithms that may detect somebody drowning in a physique of water close to the place the system is put in.
Picture courtesy of the Nationwide Cheng Kung College
Upon detecting anomalies reminiscent of alerts for assist or extended submersion underneath water, the system alerts on-responsibility lifeguards or the system’s administration to provoke rescue protocols.
The system can even monitor individuals at seashores the place it’s put in, the primary time AI has been integrated into security detection efforts at seashores, Doong mentioned.
On the demonstration of the system, NCKU introduced its capabilities in figuring out beachgoers and discerning between actions reminiscent of windsurfing, paddleboarding and folks driving water scooters.
The system issued alerts when swimmers crossed past the security boundaries of the seaside and when a demonstrator pretended to drown.
With seashores generally being crowded with a whole bunch or 1000’s of individuals, it’s troublesome for lifeguards to watch their environment always, he mentioned.
Nevertheless, with the AI drowning detection system, first responders can obtain rescue alerts earlier than it’s too late, he mentioned.
The system is flexible sufficient to be put in close to swfimming swimming pools, streams, ponds and even reservoirs to forestall drowning, he added.
The college mentioned in an announcement mentioned that the group has confirmed the system’s accuracy and response velocity by testing it in many alternative areas.
The exams have proven how sensible the system is, the college mentioned, including that it hopes to see the expertise integrated close to Taiwan’s coasts quickly to assist forestall individuals from drowning.
Final 12 months, 554 individuals in Taiwan died from drowning, Ministry of the Inside knowledge confirmed.