Drones powered by artificial intelligence could be the key to keeping Sydney’s swimmers safe from sharks, in the wake of a string of attacks that have rocked the city.
A robotics company has developed cutting-edge technology it hopes will prevent any future tragedies, with AI-powered eyes in the sky potentially patrolling beaches as early as this summer.
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The 4.5 metre drone is capable of flying for 12 hours with a range of 150 kilometres and could scan each beach in the Sydney metro area up to four times a day.
“We could sit our drone off the coast, provided we’ve got all the right approvals, and be able to monitor Sydney’s beaches continuously for a 12-hour period,” Ninox Robotics Managing Director Marcus Ehrlich said.
The system uses artificial intelligence to detect sharks and immediately alert lifeguards to potential dangers.
“What we’re thinking is, is somewhere starting like Coogee and being able to go up to the northern beaches and back, or conversely be able to put a single system in different zones of the coast,” Ehrlich explained.
The drones could patrol Sydney beaches. Credit: 7NEWSThe technology has a 150km range. Credit: 7NEWS
The technology has been developed following five shark attacks in Sydney since September, including the mauling of 34-year-old Leah Stewart by a great white at Coogee last week. She remains fighting for life in hospital.
A community swim out is to be held on Sunday to reinstil confidence in the water.
In the last four days alone, there have been shark sightings at Maroubra, Tamarama and Bondi. A great white was also spotted just off a south coast beach on Thursday.
There has also been a number of other fatal shark attacks in Western Australia and Queensland in recent months.
Shark attack victim Leah Stewart is still recovering in hospital. Credit: 7News/Hurstville Adventist SchoolDaniel Turpin, Leah Stewart and Steven Mattaboni have been attacked by sharks in recent weeks. Credit: 7NEWS
The robotics company believes a layered approach combining different drone systems could provide comprehensive coverage.
“I think if you have a layered system where you’ve got the small systems operating, and you’ve got the larger ones at a higher level scale to provide a sort of overwatch capability, I think combined, there wouldn’t be as many gaps,” Ehrlich said.
A proposal is currently before the state government, with hopes the drones could be scanning Sydney beaches by summer.
“Really, the government’s looking at all of the options. We already have drone technology that is operating up and down the coast, but we are of course looking at all of the options in the future about what else we can do to keep swimmers safe,” NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said.
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