A drone school in northeastern Japan is developing a new system that uses drones and artificial intelligence to identify and automatically track bears amid a surge in bear-related incidents.
The new system being developed by D-Academy Tohoku in Gojome, Akita prefecture, will be able to detect bears hidden from view in mountainous or urban areas and share their locations via smartphones.
It is expected to be available next year, and local authorities are already showing a keen interest.
The aircraft, measuring 98cm (38 inches) in length, 76cm (30 inches) in width and 48cm (19 inches) in height, will be equipped with a night-vision camera and an infrared camera for measuring temperatures.
Upon receiving a sighting report, a pilot will launch the aircraft and fly it over the area while it sends images.
Hokkaido government officials check footage taken by a drone in Hakodate on October 14. Photo: Kyodo
These images are analysed by AI software installed on a PC, and if a bear is detected, the aircraft switches to autonomous flight and tracks the animal.
AloJapan.com