Eyes in the sky: Hong Kong police considering AI-enhanced drone patrols
Hong Kong Free Press
Hong Kong police are considering using drones for routine patrols and analysing their images with artificial intelligence, the city’s security chief has said, amid broader government plans to ease restrictions on the aerial vehicles.
Secretary for Security Chris Tang said on Wednesday that the plan to allow drones to patrol designated routes had been discussed as authorities are set to relax a rule banning “beyond-line-of-sight flying activities” under the city’s Small Unmanned Aircraft Order.
Currently, a drone operator must be able to see it at all times during a flight.
“To further enhance the regulation of the application of drones, the Transport and Logistics Bureau and the [Civil Aviation Department] have commenced reviewing the existing civil aviation… legislation,” Tang said in a reply to lawmakers.
He said drones had already been used used for crime detection and investigation, beat patrolling, rescue operations and firefighting.
Drones equipped with high-resolution cameras had been deployed to “crime black spots,” such as those in remote locations or in difficult terrain, to collect evidence and detect suspicious activities.
They had assisted firefighting by monitoring temperature changes from above, and helped the search for missing persons in rugged terrain, he added.
Tang said the disciplined services had about 800 advanced drone operators qualified with the Civil Aviation Department (CAD). Police set up a drone cadre in October and the Fire Services Department established a dedicated drone team as early as 2017.
Advanced drone operators can fly an aircraft weighing seven to 25 kilograms, the current weight limit in Hong Kong.
Authorities will study regulations and standards in other regions such as mainland China, Australia and Canada, Tang said, while the CAD will begin to relax existing restrictions.
The Small Unmanned Aircraft Order will be amended to cover drones weighing between 25 to 150 kilograms, he said, adding the government is considering new legislation for drones weighing above 150 kg.
‘Low-altitude economy’
During the legislative meeting on Wednesday, lawmaker Tang Fei asked Tang to explain how authorities could avoid technical glitches that had hit the city’s drone shows in recent months. In October one such show was cancelled due to “significant ionospheric interference,” a meteorological phenomenon that can affect the accuracy of drone signals.
Tang said the deployment of drones by disciplined services often involved just a few machines that were operated manually, unlike large-scale shows that relied on precise coordination.
The security chief said authorities would ensure that drone operations complied with the city’s privacy regulations.
Hong Kong is promoting the use of drones in what authorities call a “low-altitude economy,” a term that refers to economic activities in airspace below 1,000 metres.
Chief Executive John Lee has announced that the government will set up a working group on developing the low-altitude economy.
It is expected to study and amend drone regulations, as well as establish joint low-altitude air routes with mainland China, where drones are much used in areas such as entertainment and deliveries.
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