OctoCopters for Mountain Rescue in the UK
A specialised search and rescue UAS will go on patrol in the Lake District. Anyone will be able to follow the maiden flight of the AeroSee UAS, developed at the University of Central Lancashire.
They can watch video beamed directly from the aircraft as it hovers hundreds of feet above the Lakeland fells.
The pilotless aircraft will be equipped with a number of TV and infra-red sensors remotely controlled from the ground.
A 20-minute test takes place in Cumbria this Thursday, with Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team, based in Glenridding, near Ulswater.
About 100 aerial images a minute will be transmitted from AeroSee and relayed to the Internet, where people who have downloaded special software will be able to help search for the missing walker.
As the images are streamed to computers, tablets and mobiles, users will be able to tap or click on any area of the image – creating a ‘tag’ – where they think they may have spotted an injured person on the mountainside.
The “crowd sourced” intelligence will then be shared with rescuers who can assess the image and send the AeroSee back to take a closer look.
Darren Ansell, aerospace engineering expert at the university, said using the technology to speed up the rescue operation could be critical, especially if casualties or poor weather is involved.
Paul Ecclestone, Director of their Media Innovation Studio, said: “Drones get lots of bad press as they’re usually associated with civilian casualties in military theatres.
“They’re just a tool and we’re using AeroSee for peaceful purposes. The unique thing about our approach is that we’re inviting civic-minded people to give up 20 minutes of their time to help save a life on the mountainside.
“It turns the whole UAS debate on its head and encourages people to participate, wherever they are.”
Patterdale MRT leader Mike Blakey said rescue services are always keen to use technology where it can help save people’s lives – and GPS devices and mobile phones are now commonplace.
“UAS may be really useful in some scenarios,” he said. “The idea of getting people to help with the rescue operation wherever they are in the world is a really interesting idea that taps into all the social media ways that people are using digital technology today.”
The UAS belongs to E-Migs, a Hertford-based company which specialises in Extreme Mobile Information Gathering Systems.
A lightweight version like the one being used can cost up to £15,000, though there are cheaper models on the market for as little as £2,000.
E-Migs technicians will operate the aircraft during the test flight.
Afterwards, data gathered will be evaluated to see how many people logged on and how good they were at spotting important features.
“It will be a valuable thing in the future,” added Dr Darren Ansell, “There are other potential applications for it.
“While here we might be looking for a missing hiker in the Lake District, we could use a similar system to try and look for poachers in an animal reserve, for example.
“In about five or ten years is these will be in use and be quite common and widespread.
“This is an exercise to discover how effective they might be.”
Photo: E-Migs OctoCopter
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