ZOE system tested during SAREX 24 search and rescue exercise

Zelim, an Edinburgh-based maritime safety company, has partnered with the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA) in Canada to demonstrate its ZOE Intelligent Detection and Tracking system.

As reported by Zelim, the trials took place in British Columbia in September during the National SAREX 24 Search and Rescue exercise.

CASARA, a volunteer organisation involved in search and rescue missions, tested ZOE’s AI capabilities alongside drone technology to detect persons in the water.

The system was used in simulated search scenarios to improve detection accuracy, a key challenge in vast ocean areas.

ZOE’s AI improves search accuracy at sea

ZOE, developed in cooperation with the US Coast Guard, is designed to autonomously detect and track people and objects in real-time during sea rescues.

The system addresses common difficulties in locating individuals, including drifting, sea spray, and light glare, all of which affect human observation.

The trials involved drones scanning sections of the coastline, where ZOE detected mannequins placed on the sea surface to simulate victims.

ZOE successfully identified human figures while filtering out objects such as buoys and light reflections, reducing false detections.

Zelim sees positive results from SAREX 24 trials

Doug Lothian, Zelim’s Chief Technology Officer, said: “This is what makes ZOE special, the ability of the technology to not only detect but also discern the difference between a human and other objects on the sea surface.

Improving the efficiency and effectiveness of search operations, where speed and precision are critical.”

Zelim’s CEO, Sam Mayall, expressed satisfaction with the trial results and collaboration with CASARA and the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), adding: “We’re thrilled to have been invited to participate in the Canadian National SAREX and to work with the teams from CASARA and the RCAF to demonstrate ZOE’s search capabilities in an operational search.”

Future operational deployment of ZOE with CASARA

For CASARA, ZOE represents a potential enhancement to their search and rescue (SAR) missions, which cover extensive and often challenging regions.

The organisation plans to continue working with Zelim to optimise the system for future deployments.

Maj Claude Courcelles, National CASARA Liaison Officer, commented: “CASARA is excited to collaborate with Zelim in showcasing our drone capability as well as to explore what AI technology can offer in the prosecution of searches.”

Zelim aims to integrate ZOE into live SAR missions with CASARA in the coming months following the successful demonstration during SAREX 24.

Zelim showcases ZOE search technology in partnership with CASARA during Canadian rescue exercise: Summary

Zelim, based in Edinburgh, collaborated with Canada’s Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA) to demonstrate its AI-powered ZOE Intelligent Detection and Tracking system during the National SAREX 24 Search and Rescue exercise.

The system, co-developed with the US Coast Guard, uses AI to detect and track people in water.

During the trials in British Columbia, ZOE successfully distinguished mannequins from other objects, such as buoys and light reflections, improving search efficiency.

CASARA and Zelim plan to deploy ZOE operationally in future search missions.