DJI and DroneSAR Launch Innovative Search and Rescue App for First Responders
A New Tool Incorporating Drone Technology to Enhance Life-Saving Missions
Key Takeaways:
- DJI and DroneSAR have collaborated to introduce a groundbreaking search and rescue application that integrates drone technology with incident management systems.
- The app enhances operational efficiency, enabling quicker and more effective life-saving missions.
- Drones can capture and stream real-time images, significantly speeding up the search process for victims in emergency situations.
- The application has been developed through extensive research in collaboration with esteemed rescue organizations.
On November 3, 2016, DJI, the foremost manufacturer of unmanned aerial vehicles, and DroneSAR, an Irish tech startup transforming the search and rescue sector, announced a collaborative breakthrough: a new search and rescue application. This innovative tool integrates drone-acquired aerial imagery into incident management platforms, aiming to equip rescue teams with unprecedented resources to effectively save lives.
The DroneSAR app is designed to transmit live images and videos from both standard and thermal cameras directly to incident command centers, as well as to on-ground rescue teams. With the ability to tag and automatically relay the GPS coordinates of victims via email or SMS, the app significantly enhances response time for ground crews, promoting timely interventions during critical situations. Furthermore, the software meticulously logs completed search patterns, facilitating seamless transitions for incoming rescue teams.
Adapting to Varied Terrains
One of the application’s standout features is its adaptability to diverse terrains. Whether operating in hilly landscapes, expansive forests, or flat fields, the DroneSAR app enables drones to optimize flight patterns for efficient area surveys. Users can select automated aerial search patterns that take into account essential variables like altitude, field of view, battery life, and detection probabilities. This systematic approach to data collection enhances the overall efficacy of rescue operations, allowing personnel to perform their duties more safely and efficiently.
“From understanding how to utilize the technology to effectively communicating findings and implementing the right tactical approach, first responders stand to gain immensely from this app running on our DJI hardware,” commented Romeo Durscher, Director of Education at DJI. “Automation streamlines numerous tasks and strategies typically employed during search and rescue operations, effectively reducing the time required to locate and save a victim.”
Research-Driven Development
This pioneering software was born from research conducted by DJI in partnership with the European Emergency Number Association and the Donegal Mountain Search and Rescue team in Ireland. Their findings revealed a stark contrast in efficiency: while a five-member rescue team on foot typically requires around two hours to locate a victim within one square kilometer, a drone can accomplish the same task in under 20 minutes, often taking proactive measures to facilitate a successful rescue.
“Our primary goal is to save lives,” stated Oisin McGrath, Co-Founder and CEO of DroneSAR. “Our software is designed to mitigate risks for search teams and significantly shorten search durations. For us at DroneSAR, even saving just one life would be an unparalleled success.”
Availability details for the DJI-DroneSAR hardware and software package are expected to be announced in the near future.
To view screenshots of the application, click here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/f24se7ww9ag5kwv/AAAfBGx_CgYtEfQBxDpfB1Qta?dl=0
For videos demonstrating the app’s capabilities, click here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0ByYSx4-T_-3zQS10ZW43eEVPaE0
