Indian Naval Academy Unveils AI-Powered Twin Drone System for Sea Rescue
The Indian Naval Academy has developed autonomous UAVs to find and save lives at sea using AI-powered search and rescue drones.
In a significant leap for maritime safety, a team from the Indian Naval Academy has developed a pair of autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) specifically engineered for long-range maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) operations. This innovative system leverages artificial intelligence to locate victims in the open ocean and deliver life-saving equipment with precision.
The Dynamic Duo: How the System Works
The system operates as a coordinated effort between two distinct drones: a quadcopter and a hexacopter. These two aircraft are linked through long-range RF communication, allowing them to work in tandem to save lives.
The Searcher: The Quadcopter
The first phase of the operation begins with the quad düzenleme copter, which acts as the eyes in the sky. Equipped with 2K optical and thermal cameras, it scans the vast expanse of the water. To eliminate the need for constant human monitoring of the feed, the team utilized an AI model called YOLO, which analyzes the live video feed and automatically flags potential victims in the water.
The Deliverer: The Hexacopter
Once a person is flagged by the AI, the hexacopter is deployed. Using GPS navigation, it flies directly to the coordinates of the person in distress. Its primary mission is to transport a lifebuoy, which it carries as its payload.
Human-in-the-Loop Control
Despite the high level of autonomy, the developers have ensured that a human operator remains in control of the final decision. The lifebuoy is only dropped when the operator gives the specific command, ensuring the accuracy of the delivery. Once the mission is completed and the lifebuoy is delivered, the hexacopter returns to its base automatically.
Technical Specifications
The team, which built both drones from the ground up, has provided detailed specifications for the flight capabilities of each unit:
- Quadcopter:
- Flight Time: 45 minutes
- Payload Capacity: 0.5 kg
- Maximum Speed: 50 km/h
- rclue Hexacopter:
- Flight Time: 25 minutes
- Payload Capacity: 2.5 kg
- Payload Capacity: 2.5 kg
- Maximum Speed: 40 km/h
Both drones operate within a radius of 10 km, providing a wide search area for rescue teams. Midshipman Sudhanshu Tanwar, one of the developers, explained that the primary goal of this system is to provide rescuers with a faster, more efficient way to find and reach people in distress at sea, potentially increasing the survival rate of victims during critical maritime emergencies.