Rescue services need to make quick decisions, and it is not uncommon for the stakes to be life or death. Artificial intelligence is now set to make rescue services in Germany fit for the future.

In the future, automated drones are to facilitate the work of emergency forces in water rescue. To this end, the "RescueFly" project was launched at the beginning of 2022, in which an interdisciplinary team is developing technical and operational solutions for drone-assisted rescue operations. The aim is to use decentrally stationed, autonomous drones to provide rapid and effective assistance in emergencies, even in unguarded waters, especially in operational areas that are difficult to access and cover large areas. This is because drones not only reach hard-to-reach locations, they also quickly transmit detailed situation images directly to rescue forces or transport medical equipment. This potential for supporting the rescue chain is being used prototypically in the Lusatian Lakeland.

By using open technology standards and integrating national and regional know-how, the interdisciplinary research team aims to position the model region "Health in Lusatia" as a pioneer worldwide and strengthen the international competitiveness of the developed drone rescue system.

"RescueFly" is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transport with 2.04 million euros. The Björn Steiger Foundation, THOLEG Civil Protection Systems, DRONIQ, the Brandenburg Institute for Society and Security, TU Chemnitz, TU Dresden and BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg are involved.