AI-Based Autonomous Vehicle to Secure Airports

AI-Based Autonomous Vehicle to Secure Airports

autonomous

A driverless all-terrain vehicle equipped with GPS and cameras trained to recognize animals is soon to join the security fleet at the Edmonton International Airport (EIA), Canada. Equipped with five cameras, light detection and ranging sensors and speakerphones, the ATV under development is the only known autonomous ATV to be used for airport security.

The purpose of the unarmed, gas-powered ATV is to monitor the airport’s 20-km fence line, as well as detect people and animals that breach the airport perimeter. It can also find holes in the fence and alert them to the maintenance department.

The EIA currently uses cameras and other sensors for perimeter security, and tasks staff with maintenance checks on the fence.

According to edmontonjournal.com, the autonomous ATVs could allow staff to focus more on tasks beyond border patrol. On the other hand, an autonomous fleet will create new maintenance and installation needs at the airport.

The camera technology on the ATV was trained to detect animals with machine learning — mainly coyotes and deer, which make up the most of the airport’s four-legged trespassers. Once it detects an animal, the quad will make a report to airport staff, documenting what species was found, as well as alerting security.

The EIA tasked the Alberta Centre for Advanced Microprocessor and Nanotechnology Products (ACAMP) with making the autonomous rover.

“The partnership with EIA has helped us build a customizable platform that uses the latest in artificial intelligence, telematics, communications and other technologies that has application worldwide,” said Rosy Amlani, ACAMP’s CFO and vice-president of Business Development.