Alphabet’s X Development is currently working on a groundbreaking geolocation and georectification technology that utilizes artificial intelligence. The primary goal of this cutting-edge technology is to improve the National Guard’s ability to respond to natural disasters effectively.
The prototype, known as Bellwether, leverages AI to accurately identify the location of Civil Air Patrol aerial images and identify critical infrastructure within them. Bellwether’s advanced algorithms can even detect damage or significant changes in the landscape in images taken during a disaster.
Master Sgt. Kenneth Houck of the Georgia Air National Guard highlighted how Bellwether significantly reduces the time required for analyzing Civil Air Patrol imagery, from days to mere seconds. This efficiency enables the National Guard to respond more quickly in critical moments following a natural disaster.
Nirav Patel, a Senior Scientist and Program Manager for Remote Sensing at DIU, praised Bellwether’s ability to interpret aerial images captured from different angles. This capability ultimately helps reduce the time required to provide assistance to those affected by disasters.
Bellwether was developed in response to a solicitation issued by DIU on behalf of the National Guard in 2022. The solicitation sought AI-powered technologies capable of processing electro-optical aerial images to enhance the Guard’s disaster response efforts.
