How long does it take to spot a lost hiker’s helmet in a sprawling 183-hectare mountain range using 2,600 drone images? If you’re relying on human eyes, you might be at it for weeks. But if you throw artificial intelligence into the mix, you can wrap it up in an afternoon. That’s what the National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps (CNSAS) pulled off in Italy’s Piedmont region. They used AI to find the remains of a hiker missing since September 2024 on Monviso’s north face, the tallest peak in the Cottian Alps.
The whole operation, from finding traces of the missing hiker to recovering his body, took less than three days. But let’s not get too starry-eyed about this tech — it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Bad weather threw a wrench in the works, reminding us that tech can’t control nature.
The recovery of 64-year-old doctor Nicola Ivaldo’s body was a mix of tech and human effort. His helmet, a stark contrast to the landscape, eventually gave him away. It was AI that caught the few pixels that differed in the images, pinpointing his location at about 3,150 meters.
Collecting and analyzing the images with AI took just a day. By nightfall, rescuers had a list of suspicious spots to check. But dense fog and bad weather showed up the next day. If you think tech can outsmart Mother Nature, think again.
The rescuers started their day at 4 a.m., aiming for clear visibility. A drone confirmed the helmet’s location, and they snapped all necessary photos and measurements. This intel was sent to the rescue coordination center, which then dispatched a helicopter for recovery.
AI played a crucial role, but it wasn’t the lone hero. CNSAS has woven drones and AI into their operations for years, but without skilled technicians, it’s just fancy gear. And let’s not overlook the importance of data from Ivaldo’s cell phone, which was a key piece of the puzzle.
Despite the tech, it’s a human achievement. The team’s experience and cooperation were vital. AI may accelerate the process, but it’s the people behind it who make it work.
CNSAS’s experienced pilots know how to leverage technology to avoid risking lives, like during the Marmolada Glacier tragedy. The aim is to blend AI with drones to avert mountain accident tragedies and save lives. Thermal imaging adds another layer, detecting living beings among the rocks.
AI can also interpret thermal data swiftly. In Sardinia, a climber rescue was possible only because a drone pinpointed their location with tech typically reserved for military use.
The hope is clear: use technology wisely to reduce mountain-related fatalities. But let’s not kid ourselves — tech isn’t a panacea. It’s a tool, not a guarantee, and needs seasoned hands at the helm.
