X Development, a research and development company under Alphabet, is currently developing a prototype geolocation and georectification technology powered by artificial intelligence. The goal of this technology is to improve the National Guard’s awareness and analysis capabilities when responding to natural disasters.
The prototype, known as Bellwether, utilizes AI to accurately pinpoint the location of Civil Air Patrol aerial images and identify critical infrastructure within them. Bellwether is even able to identify this infrastructure in images showing heavy damage or significant changes to the landscape.
Master Sgt. Kenneth Houck of the Georgia Air National Guard highlighted how Bellwether significantly reduces the time spent analyzing Civil Air Patrol imagery, from days to mere seconds. This efficiency allows the National Guard to respond more quickly in the crucial moments following a natural disaster.
Nirav Patel, a Senior Scientist and Program Manager for Remote Sensing at DIU, praised Bellwether for its ability to interpret aerial images taken 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.