Photo by Neil Mark Thomas on Unsplash
TEKEVER, the European leader in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), has confirmed the successful deployment of a lifeboat from its AR5 drone as part of a search and rescue exercise.
This was conducted by the Italian Coast Guard in partnership with the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).
With fully automatic operation, sensors on board the drone enable the detection of vessels or humans on the water.
Using artificial intelligence, the drone calculates the optimal time to release the lifeboat close to the vessel or person in distress without human intervention, enabling the lifeboat to be deployed at a close enough, but safe, distance.
The system automatically considers weather conditions and flight plan restrictions, allowing the lifeboat to be easily used in a wide range of situations.
Beyond detecting people in distress, this life-saving capability represents a key role in search and rescue missions.
The aim is to improve maritime safety and reducing the 2,500 marine casualties and incidents reported by EU member states each year.
CLS and TEKEVER have combined their skills and expertise to provide EMSA with maritime surveillance solutions using drones as a service since 2016.
An EU source said it is “an affordable service useful for all Member States of the European Union.
The solution, it is argued, has already proven its efficiency with nearly 2,000 hours of flights and nearly 300 missions carried out in Portugal, Italy, Spain, France, and the United Kingdom.
Commenting on the news, TEKEVER’s CEO, Ricardo Mendes, said: “This successful demonstration by one of the leading maritime safety agencies is a fantastic endorsement of TEKEVER’s cutting-edge technology.”
“We look forward to continuing this partnership with EMSA to improve the surveillance of European waters and ultimately save lives.”
TEKEVER’s AR5 is equipped with optical and infrared cameras, a maritime radar, an AIS receiver, and an emergency position-indicating radio beacon antenna, making it the optimal solution for Search & Rescue and Maritime Surveillance missions.
TEKEVER provides UAS technology and services to some of the most prestigious and demanding institutions in the world, including the United Kingdom’s Home Office, and the European Space and Maritime Safety Agencies.
