AI-Powered Safety System Protects Elephants in Assam
In Assam State, India’s wildlife capital, a train driver received an urgent alert about a herd of elephants crossing the tracks ahead, thanks to an innovative AI-powered safety system. This technology identifies wildlife in the vicinity and relays that information to nearby trains, allowing drivers to take timely action.
Timely Intervention by Train Crew
When J.D. Das, the driver of the Kamrup Express, and his assistant, Umesh Kumar, received the alert, they were able to apply the emergency brake just in time, preventing any harm to the elephants. The East Central Railways reported that their AI system has successfully averted 800 potential collisions with elephants on tracks in Tamil Nadu and Assam.
Expanding AI Surveillance
To enhance safety further, the railways plan to install monitoring stations across their entire jurisdiction, ensuring that no elephant corridor is left without AI-assisted surveillance. This initiative highlights the growing role of AI in wildlife conservation, particularly in mitigating human-animal conflicts.
Innovative Solutions for Wildlife Protection
AI is emerging as a powerful tool in protecting wildlife. For example, devices positioned alongside roads can detect both vehicles and deer in the area. When such a situation arises, these devices emit high-frequency pulses and animal sounds to deter deer from crossing the road at that moment. In 2022, there were 6,100 traffic collisions involving deer in the state, accounting for 15% of total incidents and resulting in 500 injuries.
AI in Shark Attack Prevention
Beyond terrestrial wildlife, AI is also being employed to enhance ocean safety. Developers of a shark attack forecast app have utilized a deep learning algorithm to analyze over a century’s worth of shark attack data, allowing them to create accurate forecasts for beaches across the U.S. with an impressive 89% accuracy rate.
Conclusion
These examples underscore the transformative potential of AI in wildlife conservation, providing innovative solutions to protect both animals and humans while fostering coexistence in shared environments.