Recent natural disasters that affected lives across the world inspired a group of engineering students to develop an unmanned copter to expedite rescue efforts .
A team of 18 students of SRM University have designed the device, equipped with an automatic face and person recognition system. This would help identify a victim trapped in a disaster, even in the difficult terrains.
The copter, which can fly up to 50 metres high and travel 3 km, is fitted with a video camera. Sobin Santhosh, a final-year aerospace engineering student, who led the team, said they had read about how it took days to rescue flood victims in some places. “The copter will help complete rescue operations faster.”
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The team tested their software by feeding several images of the same person taken from different angles and backdrops. They recently presented their design in an aviation expo organised by Ministry of Civil Aviation. Narayana Rao, director of research, SRM University, said it can also be used by the police to curb crimes and for aerial photography.