Two undergraduate students from Imperial College London, Idil Igde and Arda Kancal, created an innovative AI tool named ResCube to enhance earthquake rescue efforts. Utilizing four geophones—sensors designed to detect vibrations and audio—the system analyzes data to accurately identify human signals amidst background noise. Traditional search methods rely on manual listening with an accuracy rate of around 80%, while ResCube boasts an impressive 90% accuracy in initial tests. The critical “golden window” for finding survivors lies within the first 72 hours post-earthquake, making quick response vital. Motivated by personal experiences with earthquake risks in Turkey, the students aim to keep ResCube affordable and durable for emergency use. Their technology recently garnered a £7,000 prize from the Imperial College Make-A-Difference competition, supporting further development. By improving rescue operations, ResCube hopes to reduce fatalities among those trapped and in desperate need of assistance during disasters.
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