Sea Reconnaissance VTOL UAV – A Pioneering AI Solution for Vietnam’s Tourism Safety
Automated Detection of Rip Currents and Whirlpools Using AI-Integrated UAVs, Providing Real-Time Alerts to Enhance Tourist Safety and Support Efficient Rescue Operations.
Project Overview
URLAB introduces the Sea Reconnaissance UAV, a project developed by students at Ton Duc Thang University. With over 3,000 km of coastline and millions of visitors annually, Vietnam faces drowning risks from hazardous phenomena like rip currents and whirlpools. Traditional observation methods are limited in covering large areas and providing timely information.
The Sea Reconnaissance UAV offers an advanced, specialized technological solution to address this challenge:
• Integrates cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) (built on TensorFlow/PyTorch), enabling automatic detection of rip currents and whirlpools with 80-85% accuracy. The AI system is trained on real-world data from Vietnam’s coastal regions.
• Capable of autonomous patrolling along pre-set routes, continuously monitoring vast sea areas, and delivering real-time data to digital maps (GIS) and mobile applications for tourists and rescue teams.
• Equipped with 4K cameras and thermal imaging for detecting distressed individuals, with a flight endurance of 1 to 1.5 hours.
• Designed with a corrosion-resistant carbon fiber frame, ensuring durability in harsh marine environments and all weather conditions. The UAV supports flexible takeoff and landing on beaches or small vessels.
Key Benefits
- Enhances safety for tourists and coastal residents, minimizing drowning risks.
- Significantly reduces rescue response time. For example, at My Khe Beach (Da Nang), response time can be reduced by up to 50%.
- Cost-effective compared to traditional methods, reducing the burden on manpower and infrastructure.
- Raises community awareness of sea hazards through a mobile application.
- Promotes sustainable tourism and contributes to the socio-economic development of coastal regions.