AI-Powered Drone Leads Swift Rescue of Two Hikers in Kosciuszko National Park

A dramatic rescue operation in Kosciuszko national park has highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence to save lives. Two hikers, both in their 20s, were reported missing on Tuesday evening after they failed to return to a rendezvous point on time. Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) sprang into action, deploying a drone equipped with thermal imaging and AI detection technology. The drone quickly located the hikers, who were walking the Dead Horse Gap track, about 35km south-west of Jindabyne. As the drone hovered above, its built-in speaker made contact with the pair, while a spotlight guided rescuers on the ground to their location. The hikers, who were found about half a kilometre off the track, used a red light on a mobile phone to attract the drone's attention in the dark. Thanks to the swift action, the pair was rescued less than five hours after being reported missing, suffering only mild effects of exposure. According to Fire and Rescue Inspector Phillip Eberle, the AI-powered drone reduced the search time significantly, potentially saving days of searching. The successful rescue demonstrates the potential of drone technology to minimize risks for both rescuers and those stranded, and could pave the way for future innovations, such as dropping emergency supplies to those in need.