UTS deploys realtime search and rescue technology in Vietnam

International partnership

The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) was excited to partner with Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT), Le Quy Don Technical University (LQDTU) (both in Vietnam), Australia’s Ripper Corp organisation and the National Committee for Search and Rescue Vietnam (VINASARCOM) to develop, transfer and deploy real-time remote sensing and aerial surveillance technology using UAV and AI-empowered software, in an effort to aid with Search and Rescue (SAR) missions in Vietnam.

This cutting-edge partnership features implementation of real-time remote sensing and aerial surveillance award winning technologies that were successfully deployed by UTS during bushfires in 2019/2020 and in shark management programs within Australia.

The application is set to aid in assisting SAR management and rescue operation activities including SAR trainings, in consideration of how much Vietnam is affected by natural disasters and climate change. In the past 20 years, natural disasters including storms, floods and landslides have killed more than 13,000 people and caused over US$ 6.4 billion in damages across Vietnam.

As Australia and Vietnam celebrate 50 years of bilateral diplomatic relationship, a team led by Professor Eryk Dutkiewicz from UTS was excited to showcase this new Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and an AI empowered software application at the Digital transformation for Effective Management of Disaster Responses, Search and Rescue event held in Hoa Binh province on April 18, 2023, in Vietnam.

“On this special occasion of the 50th anniversary of Australia and Vietnam’s diplomatic relationship, we are very honoured to be able to witness how our innovation and technology collaboration can better serve the people of Vietnam as well as Australia,” said Iain Watt, UTS Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (International).

“Applying digital transformation technologies delivered by the team can help save lives, especially in high risk SAR missions in Vietnam”, said La Dai Phong, Deputy Chief of Staff (VINASARCOM).

Also in attendance at the event were Professor Michael Blumenstein, Acting Dean Faculty of Engineering and IT and Associate Professor Diep N. Nguyen who furthered conversations on this innovative project with leaders from VINASARCOM and local provinces in Vietnam.

With a vision to socially impact the world, UTS has worked with various partners globally, including in Vietnam; forging partnerships that have yielded to various ground-breaking solutions. By continuing to partner with local universities, industry, and governments, UTS is set to deliver more timely resolutions. The UAV and AI empowered software deployment is a great example of the University’s strategic innovation and technology collaboration with Vietnam which aligns with the Australia-Vietnam Strategic Partnership that recognises innovation as one of its three pillars of collaboration.