In the past several years drones autonomous rescue cameras equipped with cameras have been tested and used in theaters of natural disasters to detect signs of life and survivors to be rescued.
Today, in the world's first study of this type, Australian and Iraqi researchers took this feature to the next level.
Using new techniques and technologies to remotely monitor vital signs, engineers from the University of South Australia and Middle Technical University in Baghdad designed a totally new computerized vision system. A system capable of discriminating bodies that are still alive from those who have died, and it does so at a distance of about 8 meters.
What to Expect
By aiming at the upper part of the bodies, rescue drone cameras can detect micro movements inside the chest (even very faint ones) that indicate cardiac activity and breathing. The method is totally different from all previous ones and based on changes in skin color or body temperature.
Other techniques with thermal cameras can detect signs of life only if there is contrast between the heat of the body and the surrounding environment. In hot scenarios, for example, they don't work well. Ditto if people in danger (or corpses) have insulating clothing.
The advancement obviously involves greater precision in the analysis of life signs, and greater possibilities of saving people in danger.
Professor Javaan Chahl and Dr. Ali Al-Naji, head of the study, were also the first to show the potential capabilities of rescue drones two years ago to measure breath and heart rate even from a distance.
In the first tests, a minimum distance was necessary: just three metres, beyond which the drones were unable to "read" the situation. Furthermore, the worst limitation was the fact that the observable bodies could only be positioned in front of the drone, not lying down.
“This study based on cardiopulmonary movements was carried out on 8 subjects and an inanimate mannequin, in different positions,” says Professor Chahl.
The technology can also be used in adverse weather conditions, helping first responders to bring immediate aid to victims of a disaster.
“It will be ideal in situations such as earthquakes, floods, chemical attacks or mass shooting attacks.”
More rescue drones, more lives saved
Rescue operations in areas affected by disasters currently make use of robots and dogs, expensive solutions that can operate only in limited points of the scenario.
Intelligent systems such as those under study can greatly expand the capacities of the rescuers and the chances of survival of the victims of a disaster.
References:
Ali Al-Naji, Asanka G. Perera, Saleem Latteef Mohammed, Javaan Chahl. Life Signs Detector Using a Drone in Disaster Zones. Remote Sensing, 2019; 11 (20): 2441 DOI: 10.3390 / rs11202441
