
Surf Life Saving Drone
SAPHI designed an AI-driven drone solution to transform the approach of first responders to emergencies along the shoreline, enhancing the safety and efficiency of surf life-saving operations.

What Was The Problem?
In surf life-saving scenarios, binoculars have traditionally been vital tools for spotting swimmers in distress.
However, once a situation is identified, the current communication methods to relay the distressed swimmer’s position and dispatch lifeguards for rescue pose potential risks to the rescuers while also eating into the crucial time that could make a difference for those in peril.
While the introduction of life-saving drones has shown promise, their effectiveness is hampered as they still depend on skilled pilots to navigate the drone to the swimmer for flotation device delivery.
What Was The Solution?
SAPHI Engineers revolutionized the Surf Life Saver Drone control system by integrating AI capabilities. Instead of the traditional binoculars, our solution incorporated a virtual reality headset which manipulated a camera. This setup paved the way for an AI-enhanced Augmented Reality Control System. By adding a digital overlay to the real-world view, the system uses a crosshair to align with the distressed individual, calculating their GPS coordinates solely from visuals, considering factors like height, angle, and camera orientation.
The VR headset provides surf lifesavers with a first-person perspective from the camera mounted atop the lifeguard tower. AI algorithms interpret movements, so as the lifesaver turns their head, the system uses roll, pitch, and yaw data to adjust the camera’s direction. Once the GPS coordinates are established, the drone autonomously heads to the distressed individual’s location, delivering a flotation device and vocal instructions.
What Were The Outcomes?
The results of our AI-enhanced surf lifesaving drone system encompass:
- Swift action times, narrowing the gap between spotting the distressed individual and reaching them.
- Simplified VR interface, ensuring ease of use with minimal training.
- Direct audio communication between the shore and the person in distress.
What Skills Did SAPHI Use To Implement The Solution?
The hardware and software experience and expertise required for this life-saving drone system included:
- NodeJS
- C++
- Angular
- PWA
- No SQL Database Design Implementation
What Support Did SAPHI Offer After Completion?
SAPHI provides customised packages to support the full system development life cycle and implementation of upgrades to support the evolving needs of our clients and their customers.
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CONTACT
- 0439 577 506
- Contact@saphi.com.au
- MAYFIELD WEST, NSW, AUSTRALIA, 2304
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