Smart Drone Saves People From Sharks, Crocodiles & Rough Seas

Little Ripper’s Lifesaver drone can spot sharks with 90% accuracy. It distinguishes them from 16 other types of marine life, such as dolphins. This makes the drone when outfitted with the SharkSpotter artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm superior to the human eye. Little Ripper Lifesaver drone uses AI - The Westpac Little Ripper Lifesaver drone uses newly captured photos to continuously improve itself. The result of this ongoing process is that it becomes even more accurate in spotting sharks. The Australian drone won a national innovation award last week for its ability to differentiate sharks from 16 other forms of marine life.

“It can detect really accurately the difference between a shark and a dolphin, sharks from so many types of marine life,” Professor Michael Blumenstain from the software school at the University of Technology Sydney said to 9News.

The drone shares the information it captures in real-time with emergency services, lifeguards, and water users.

“Manned aerial flights have less than 20 percent accuracy, our drones are very efficient, non-evasive and non-destructive,” Little Ripper’s Eddie Bennet said.

Better than shark nets

In Australia, spring beach controls are about to start in three weeks. The government removed the shark nets after public outrage. The nets were responsible for catching hundreds of marine creatures but only 11 sharks. Eight dolphins, nine turtles, 100 rays and 34 protected hammerhead sharks were killed by the nets. They were installed after recent shark attacks in the areas of Ballina, Lennox Head, and Byron Bay.

A government survey concluded that public support was highest for drone surveillance and lowest for shark nets. At the same time, the government was testing the drones over the last 12 weeks.

The Little Ripper drone with SharkSpotter software not only distinguishes between 16 sorts of marine life but can also identify surfers, swimmers, boats, human beings and other objects in the water.

Sharks in waters off Cape Cod

Recently, along the shoreline of Cape Cod 149 juvenile great white sharks were spotted. A sharp increase compared to previous years. The young great white sharks can measure up to 10 feet and present a potential danger to beachgoers. A professor from SUNY, NY was recently seriously injured after being attacked by a shark while standing in the water at Long Nook Beach in Truro.

Westpac Little Ripper Lifesaver offer a suite of sophisticated single and multi rotor UAV’s (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles or Drones) tailored for search, rescue and lifesaving operations. Little Ripper UAV’s (drones) have been developed specifically to execute multiple strategies including deploying rescue devices and communicating with those requiring assistance. This way Westpac Little Ripper Lifesaver rescue teams can react quickly and efficiently to save lives.

The Little Ripper

Patent pending

Payload delivery system
Hi-def zoom camera
AI enable
Siren and speaker system with multiple languages
Pod deployment
Shark shield deployment
Sea marker deployment

Westpac's Lifesaver Initiative
Westpac has sponsored the Little Ripper Lifesaver since 28th February 2016, complementing their 42 year commitment to the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Services that we have all come to know and love. Westpac believes the The Little Ripper Lifesaver project represents the next evolution in beach safety, with the ability to rapidly identify and respond to incidents with specialised unmanned aircraft.

#tech #drone #AI

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