AI-based lifeguard system aims to bring smart city tech to the beach

A new artificial intelligence-based (AI) lifeguard system aims to prevent drowning and monitor waterfront and coastal areas. Sightbit has been developed by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) alumni in Israel and aims to help lifeguards monitor thousands of swimmers and identify risky situations and other water hazards. The system is already being used by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority along five miles of coastline in Palmachim National Park, creating what the developers claim is the first smart beach. According to the World Health Organisation, there are an estimated 320,000 annual drowning deaths worldwide. Drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide, accounting for seven per cent of all injury-related deaths.