MUMBAI, India, Feb. 13 -- Intellectual Property India has published a patent application (202541124434 A) filed by Jerusalem College Of Engineering, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, on Dec. 10, 2025, for 'ai-driven autonomous ground vehicle for wilderness search and rescue (wisar) using thermal imaging.'
Inventor(s) include Dr. G. Merlin Sheeba; S. Bhavanisankari; Dr. S. Arun; Dr. P. Gnanasivam; Niranjan R; Lokesh; and Yogesh.
The application for the patent was published on Feb. 13, under issue no. 07/2026.
According to the abstract released by the Intellectual Property India: "Locating missing persons such as lost hikers or mountaineers across vast wilderness regions remains one of the most demanding challenges for search and rescue teams. These operations are often hindered by rugged terrain, dense vegetation, unpredictable weather, and limited visibility. To address these constraints, this project presents an Al-driven Autonomous Ground Vehicle (AGV) designed for Wilderness Search and Rescue (WiSAR) applications. The system integrates an MLX90640 thermal infrared sensor with a Raspberry Pi-based edge Al platform to autonomously identify human heat signatures, even through partial foliage. The embedded machine learning model processes real-time thermal data for accurate human detection. Once a target is identified, the AGV logs GPS coordinates, transmits them via a LoRa long-range communication module, and triggers an acoustic beacon to assist on-ground rescuers. Built on a rugged 4WD chassis, the vehicle operates effectively in challenging terrains and under all weather conditions. By combining robotics, thermal imaging, and artificial intelligence, this system provides a persistent, scalable, and autonomous rescue aid, significantly reducing search time, improving detection accuracy, and, increasing the probability of saving lives in remote environments."
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
