China has introduced autonomous boats designed to monitor areas particularly hazardous for swimmers.
These boats, which operate almost entirely autonomously after an initial human setup, have a system of 100 optical and thermal cameras.
The recent AI boom has enabled companies to leverage the technology across various fields. In the ocean, AI systems have proven useful as the “brain” of autonomous vessels and helped identify up to 75% of unregistered industrial fishing boats.
China’s latest development is an AI-powered autonomous boat system aimed at replacing or supporting lifeguards in maritime rescue operations. They call it a high-tech drowning prevention and rescue system.
Lifeguards 2.0. Researchers from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Sciences, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, developed this uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) to assist, or even substitute, human lifeguards. They note that human rescuers must contend with water conditions and often need to cover large areas, with response time affected by factors such as visibility.
USV to the rescue. In contrast, a USV equipped with AI systems and big data analytics enables continuous monitoring, features an early warning system, and has autonomous rescue capabilities. Together, these features can significantly reduce response time compared to human rescuers. According to its developers, the USV offers “a promising solution for water safety at large public sites.”
While the vehicle is relatively compact, it includes handholds for rescued individuals to grasp during a rescue.
Full of sensors. The AI system processes data received by the vehicle from both external sources and its own sensors, cross-referencing this information to carry out rescue operations. Equipped with over 100 optical and thermal cameras, the system provides 24/7 high-definition surveillance in key areas known to be prone to accidents.
The AI “brain” uses image recognition to detect even subtle movements in the water. It assesses situations in real-time and alerts operators if a swimmer enters a restricted area or shows signs of distress, simultaneously sending the swimmer’s location to operators.
Minimal human involvement. According to the developers, USVs are guided via remote control, requiring human oversight initially. Once positioned, they switch to full autonomy mode, completing their approach and performing a rapid rescue “with minimal human intervention.”
Developers say this system improves the reliability and speed of rescues. The main limitation, however, is the need for additional surveillance cameras to monitor hazardous areas, which adds to operational costs. Still, it provides added reassurance for swimmers entering these waters.
Image | Janosch Diggelmann (Unsplash) | Hefei Institutes of Physical Science
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