Real-Time Human Detection and Tracking Using Quadcopter

Background: Detection and tracking of humans in real time is a challenging and important field of research. Human detection has many applications in detection of human and video surveillance. Nowadays, quadcopters are used in different fields like research, military and law enforcement, commercial fields for navigation, searching, and areal imagery. Methods: In this paper, the primary objective of the system is to detect and locate people who got isolated in some areas due to natural disasters like floods and earthquake. It is carried out using a single-board computer Raspberry Pi (RPI), and the image processing part is carried out with the help of OpenCV. The detection and tracking of humans is done using quadcopter. Quadcopter is equipped with camera, the video capture is processed using RPI, and live streaming along with human detection is sent to the base station over the wireless network. Applications: It is used in effective human detection in real time video streaming. It helps the rescue team to locate people and to know their current situation and thus to take necessary actions including medication and evacuation. Development/ future work: A prototype model for human detection and tracking using quadcopter is designed and developed. Better battery pack for longer flying time and use of 3G USB dongle for large area surveillance.