In an impressive display of artificial intelligence’s capabilities
The National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps (CNSAS) has achieved a significant milestone in mountain rescue operations by locating the remains of Dr. Nicola Ivaldo. Ivaldo, a hiker who had vanished in the Italian Alps for almost a year was found through the use of an AI-powered analysis of drone-captured imagery, streamlining the search process substantially.
Leveraging an AI-driven system to scrutinize more than 2,600 aerial snapshots, the location of Ivaldo’s helmet was identified amidst the expansive 183-hectare Monviso region — the tallest summit of the Cottian Alps. This task, daunting for a human team, was completed by the AI in a mere afternoon.
The Pivotal Discovery
“We located the body of the 64-year-old doctor from Liguria on Thursday morning, July 31, over ten months following his disappearance,” said CNSAS drone operator Saverio Isola. “It was the AI tool that flagged a few differently colored pixels in the footage captured on Tuesday.” Despite temporary delays due to poor weather conditions, the discovery and recovery efforts concluded in under three days.
Situated at about 3,150 meters above sea level, the body was nestled in the furthest right of the three gorges dissecting the Monviso’s north face. Isola, together with team member Giorgio Viana and four seasoned mountain rescue experts, executed the painstaking retrieval mission, supported by data from Ivaldo’s mobile phone. This mission underscored the crucial blend of human expertise and advanced technology in current search and rescue missions.
AI Integration in Prospective Rescue Missions
“We have employed drones for approximately five years and integrated color and shape identification capabilities roughly a year and a half ago,” revealed Isola. He highlighted the technological progression of these tools and the critical synergy between the tech teams and AI which has recently enabled missions within areas unattainable by humans, like during the Marmolada Glacier catastrophe, thus protecting rescuers’ lives.
Moving forward, CNSAS is intent on further developing the synergy between AI, drones, and thermal imaging technology. “The same way it does with static images, AI is adept at deciphering thermal imagery data, rendering invaluable insights within hours,” Isola stated. With these technological strides, CNSAS foresees a future habitat for mountain rescue where the most dire outcomes of mountain mishaps can be mitigated and lives preserved in a timely manner.