Eyes in the sky: Kerala Police to introduce AI-powered drones for surveillance, policing
A tender has been floated by the Cyber Police Headquarters to procure around 60 ‘AI Surveillance Drones’ that would help the police with real-time data collection and processing.
A tender has been floated by the Cyber Police Headquarters to procure around 60 ‘AI Surveillance Drones’ that would help the police with real-time data collection and processing.
A tender has been floated by the Cyber Police Headquarters to procure around 60 ‘AI Surveillance Drones’ that would help the police with real-time data collection and processing.
Thiruvananthapuram: When Govindachamy, the convict in the sensational Soumya murder case, broke out of a high-security prison in Kannur in the early hours of July 25, it took the police nearly 9 hours to track him down and recapture him from a well, 3.5 kilometres away, despite a statewide manhunt and scanning hundreds of CCTV footages. And the story could have ended much differently without the help of vigilant citizens who recognised him on the roads, which led to his recapture.
But what if a swarm of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered drones had been deployed the moment he escaped from the prison? Imagine them flying like hawks in the skies of Kannur, scanning every alley and blind spots using cameras, and finally tracing Govindachamy with advanced AI face-mapping technology. They would pinpoint his live location and guide the police directly to him, putting the convict back in his cell in no time.
This may sound like something from a sci-fi thriller, but it could soon become a reality in Kerala, and the state police have already set the ball rolling. In a first, Kerala Police is planning to introduce AI surveillance drones, marking a significant leap forward in modern policing.
A tender has been floated by the Cyber Police Headquarters to procure around 60 ‘AI Surveillance Drones’ that would help the police with real-time data collection and processing. The plan is to use them in missions like surveillance, manhunt, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) during natural calamities, analysing traffic patterns, VIP protection, among others.
According to Ankit Asokan, Superintendent of Police, Cyber Operations, this is part of the ongoing Modernisation of Police Force (MOPF) project with the help of emerging technologies. "We are looking into areas where we can use AI in policing," said Asokan. "The project is in the early stages, and we are waiting for bidders who can meet our requirements. Once implemented, these drones will be the police's eyes in the sky, and they will have numerous applications."
Disaster relief, anti-narcotic operations and VVIP protection
The new plan aims to overcome the limitations of static CCTV cameras and existing drone units. By expanding the use of drones and using AI to process data, police will be able to improve surveillance, disaster relief, traffic management, and VIP protection.
For example, the drones could be used for aerial sweeps during VVIP visits, using AI to analyse real-time data and even identify suspects through face-mapping. The drones can use the police digital database to identify anyone with a criminal background roaming the area, said police sources.
The AI drones can be a game-changer for disaster relief, providing real-time situational awareness when every second counts. They can be equipped with sensors like thermal cameras, which can quickly scan rubble, floods, or forested areas to locate survivors by detecting heat signatures or signs of life. This helps search and rescue teams prioritise efforts and get to people faster, especially in areas that are too dangerous or inaccessible for humans to enter.
The drones could also be deployed to spot Ganja cultivation in forest areas or analyse traffic patterns at choke points to help with planning.