The drone technology that can autonomously fly and search for missing persons has been developed. It is expected to help maintain the 'golden time' in searching for missing individuals, which requires significant time and manpower.
The research team led by Cha Ji-hoon, head of the Autonomous Flight Research Division at the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), announced on the 11th that they have developed a drone system capable of reliable search in challenging environments like forests or valleys.
The system developed by the research team can autonomously recognize its environment and plan routes even in forests where the Global Positioning System (GPS) cannot be used. It differentiates itself from existing systems by automatically performing missions. The drone is equipped with visible light and infrared (IR) cameras and flies autonomously in designated search areas. The collected footage is transmitted to a mobile control system, which uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology to identify locations with a high likelihood of a missing person.
On Nov. 6, the research team conducted demonstrations with advisors composed of the Gyeongnam Police Agency's drone operation team, police academy, and industry representatives. They deployed three drones in a park resembling a forest environment, confirming their autonomous flight capabilities. The demonstration validated that using multiple autonomous drones simultaneously could shorten the search for missing persons.
The search drones for missing persons will complete their development by 2027 after enhancing the system. Afterward, a pilot project for searching missing persons in mountainous areas will be initiated. The research team expects that the developed drones will be utilized not only in searching for missing persons or victims but also in various public safety areas such as military reconnaissance, natural disaster rescue, and monitoring illegal activities for forest protection.
Cha Ji-hoon, head of the Autonomous Flight Research Division at ETRI, noted, “The technology for searching missing persons using multiple autonomous flight drones will play a crucial role in securing the golden time for the survival of missing individuals,” and added, “It is expected to make a significant contribution to enhancing public safety.”