CHENNAI: Anna University’s Center for Aerospace Research (CASR) will develop drones to assist in rescue operations at sea, particularly in cases of drowning. It will design and develop drones that can fly automatically, detect drowning, and deploy a collapsed flotation device right near the victim.
The high-tech drones, equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) and cameras, are manufactured by the Tamil Nadu Drone Corporation and supplied to the state police agency.
They will be part of the “Marina Beach Life Guard Unit” launched by police on Saturday. On a pilot basis, the CASR provided the Life Guard Unit with a drone that was presented during the launch ceremony.
The drone is equipped with a lifebuoy that is dropped from the drone after a drowning person is identified. However, CASR plans to make some changes to the design.
“Instead of a lifebuoy, we decided to install a canister that inflates automatically as soon as it touches the water. The canister is collapsed and the drone can release it immediately after identifying the victim. The inflatable canister will be large enough to carry an adult,” said K Senthil Kumar, director of CASR.
The drones will also provide the surveillance team with real-time data.
“At least 10 drones will be manufactured by Tamil Nadu Drone Corporation for the project and made available to the police,” added Kumar. Although these drones do not require an operator, the CASR has trained four police officers to fly drones and granted them DGCA licenses.
The trained police officers only have to initiate the start. Once the drone is 20 meters in the sea, it can navigate and identify the victim itself and drop the inflatable device. “The drones will make rescue workers’ jobs more accurate and effective,” Kumar said.
