Swimming pools provide a source of joy and relaxation, but they also carry inherent risks, especially the potential for drowning.
In an effort to mitigate this danger, a German swimming pool is currently conducting a trial of an AI-powered monitoring system designed to save lives, according to a report by The Star.
AI as a Lifeguard
Located in Wiesbaden's Kleinfeldchen swimming baths, this facility boasts both indoor and outdoor pools. In August 2020, one of the indoor pools commenced its use of an innovative AI monitoring system developed by an Israeli start-up.
Consisting of four ceiling-mounted cameras overlooking the 25x15m pool, this system aims to enhance safety through advanced technology.
Thomas Baum, the operations manager at Mattiaqua, the regional pool operator, explains that the cameras detect water movements and record movement profiles for analysis using AI algorithms.
When the system identifies irregular patterns, it promptly alerts the pool staff via their smartwatches. Shahabeddin Khatibi, a pool attendant involved since the system's inception, describes how the smartwatches emit an audible beep, vibrate, and display a red dot indicating the precise location of the person in distress.
Additionally, three accompanying pictures provide further context to aid the response. Initially, there were instances of false alarms triggered by routine swimmer movements, such as roll turns.
However, as time passed, the AI system adapted and learned to distinguish between normal swimming actions and genuine emergencies. Shahabeddin provides feedback to the system after each alarm, contributing to its continuous learning and improving its accuracy in assessing distress situations.
Following the completion of the trial and learning phase, Thomas Baum aims to implement the AI system in other pools and baths throughout Wiesbaden. The plan includes equipping the non-swimmers area and the outdoor pools, with the thermal pool scheduled to adopt the technology next year.
The costs of implementation depend on pool size and the number of cameras required, with the estimated annual expenditure ranging from $32,000 to $42,000 for the current pool.
A Complementary Solution
The AI Lifeguard system was not intended to replace human staff or water rescue services. Instead, it acts as an additional layer of protection for both staff members and swimmers.
Thomas Baum emphasizes the system's significance: "If it works only once in ten years and saves a person's life, then every cent invested was worth it."
Beyond its life-saving capabilities, the AI system enhances swimming supervision. Shahabeddin, a swimming supervisor, refers to the technology as their "third eye," particularly during peak periods when the pool accommodates thousands of guests.
The system provides comprehensive oversight, enabling effective management even in crowded scenarios. Additionally, the technology can detect and raise an alarm if small children become separated from their parents while swimming.
To address concerns regarding data protection, the cameras solely recognize the outlines of individuals. Baum emphasizes, "It's not about monitoring people but about the safety of the bathers."
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