Search & Rescue software and Drone Search Light
Donation protected
Greetings all - I am Earl and a retired law enforcement officer and paramedic who still holds an active registered nurse license. Recently, after seven years of recreational drone flying and ten years of photography, I took to the skies with a small aerial imaging and mapping business.
Interestingly, in the last six months, I had several requests to fly to look for missing pets in the neighborhood. In October 2022, through the use of my drones, I assisted law enforcement and a Minnesota Search and Rescue team with a missing young man case in Eagan. Because he has not been found, I am still helping with different aerial photography and mappings in the requested areas.
On Christmas Day, 2022, I flew for hours looking and mapping areas in Stillwater, Minnesota (my hometown) for a missing young man, George Musser, who had not returned home. At that time, I did not have a thermal drone. Unfortunately, that case did not have a good outcome, but it made me realize the need and gave me the motivation to advance drone services in my community and in surrounding areas of Minnesota and Wisconsin (hoping to expand Statewide).
Now having worked several missing pet missions and two missing person cases, I decided to take the leap and purchased the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise Thermal Drone, a cost just shy of nine thousand dollars. Thermal technology allows for the detection of radiant heat on a subject, whether it be a small animal or a person.
When it comes to missing persons my website and social media postings are very clear: Missing person cases will always have priority and be performed at no cost. For missing pet cases, the cost is minimal and only if someone has the ability (there is a running joke that if a person is not in a position to fund the service I really really like donuts and sweet tea, so just buy me one of each). Animals with special medical needs or disabilities are given a higher priority and are typically done at no cost.
My goal is to obtain funding to expand search and rescue missions through computer technology and drone accessories. Funding will be used to obtain a software called "Loc8" which uses color pixel recognition from photographs taken by the drone. The program works by finding a specific color or thermal profile from colors of clothing or objects on or related to the missing person. Then, within minutes, the program scans hundreds of high-resolution photos taken by the drone for that color. When those particular colors are found the viewer can then zoom in and examine those color pixels to see if it is related to the missing person case or object of interest. Here is a link to a story about the software. Here is another story on the software: Loc8 story Link.
The software requires a yearly subscription. The funding will cover two years for both the color and thermal software licenses. The remaining funds are being used to purchase a high-powered searchlight that attaches directly to the thermal drone and an in-vehicle monitor system to allow other search members to view drone footage in real-time during the search flight. Since thermal imaging works well at night, this will not only provide additional safety but the ability to conduct person/pet location confirmations in the dark.
*****As a disclaimer, none of the funds requested are being used for ANY of the regular drone services, which are mainly mapping accident scenes, and performing roof inspections for insurance claims.
In closing, I come from decades of public service (law enforcement, EMS, and fire service). I truly enjoy, to this day, serving people in their time of need. Bringing this technology to the community will enhance the chances of positive outcomes.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story.
Organizer
Earl Bakke
Organizer
Stillwater, MN