Fire and Rescue NSW uses AI drone to locate lost hikers

Fire and Rescue NSW used an AI-equipped drone to locate two lost hikers in Kosciuszko National Park within five hours, marking the first successful operational use of the drone's AI detection system. The drone's thermal imaging and AI system detected the hikers 500 meters off the track, and authorities contacted them via the drone's speaker. Officials say the technology likely reduced a multiday search to a short operation.

According to ABC, two men in their early 20s reported missing at 7pm while hiking the Dead Horse Gap track in Kosciuszko National Park were located by a drone deployed by Fire and Rescue NSW . ABC reports the remotely piloted drone used thermal imaging and an AI detection system to detect the hikers about 500 metres off the walking track, and police and State Emergency Service volunteers contacted the pair using the drone's built-in speaker. The hikers were found less than five hours after being reported missing, suffered mild effects of exposure and declined medical treatment, ABC reports. ABC also reports this was the first successful operational use of the drone's AI detection system by FRNSW, and ABC reports FRNSW said it will work to improve the technology for other emergency uses. FRNSW Inspector Phillip Eberle is quoted saying the technology probably reduced what could have been a multiday search into a short one.