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To improve the speed of search-and-rescue efforts, the National Fire Agency spent over NT$1 million on an AI drone which is often used by the US military. It can quickly locate people in need of rescue and can avoid obstacles, flying across challenging terrain. Cities and counties nationwide have use this drone in their search-and-rescue efforts, including Hualien’s Guangfu Township in the wake of last year’s deadly flood.
A drone’s aerial view clearly captures the extent of the flooding in Guangfu last year. Its images helped first responders find the best routes into disaster areas.
It’s indispensable for missions at high altitudes or in challenging terrain like ravines, finding the location of those in need of rescue so that first responders can get to them quicker.
Those aerial images were all captured by the same drone, which cost the National Fire Agency over NT$1 million. This model, currently used by the US military, expertly navigates complex terrain and incorporates AI to support search-and-rescue efforts.
Yang Min-cheng
Emergency rescue leader
In addition to AI-assisted identification, it’s also great at avoiding obstacles. It automatically avoids power lines. Its biggest advantage is that it has 360-degree and 180-degree zoom.
The drone has a total of six cameras and is adept at identifying both obstacles and people, even when they’re hidden. It provides crucial support to first responders, shortening rescue times.
Ma Wu-hsiung
National Fire Agency officer
Previous drones used GPS and sometimes just disconnected. This one can avoid obstacles, even when flying through forests. It’s a powerful tool for our mountain rescue missions. A mission in a ravine might take four to eight hours, but with a drone that can identify objects, we can control it better.
The AI drone is so powerful thanks to its software design and Nvidia AI chip. It records its surroundings while in flight, and if the signal is suddenly lost, it can return by its original route. Operators monitor the drone through a military-grade tablet.
Ma Wu-hsiung
National Fire Agency officer
We set up an AI identification system that sends images to fire departments across cities and counties, where there’s an AI identification computer. The footage is sent back to frontline officers, who can identify specific coordinates or suspicious areas and carry out a second aerial search. This allows for real-time, synchronized sharing of all on-site disaster information.
In challenging environments and devastated areas, this AI drone supports first responders so they can rescue people quicker.
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