Wed, Apr 29, 2015
by Alina Eacott
Two Iraqi men studying at Adelaide's Flinders University have developed new technology for detecting human life using remote cameras, which could be used during rescue operations.
Laith Al-Shimaysawee and Ali Al-Dabbagh are studying their masters on scholarships through an Iraqi Government initiative that sends students abroad.
They have created a new algorithm for detecting people through thermal and colour cameras that is believed to be faster than any other technology available.
The system has been developed to help with rescue operations, and other high-risk situations.
The students will return to Iraq later this year and hope to use their work at Flinders University to help the Iraqi army.
Mr Al-Shimaysawee said they want to help their homeland: "We thought we should try to do something to help our country, and to save the life of people in our country as you know the situation in our country now is not good," he said.
"In Iraq there are a lot of young engineers, they just need an opportunity or support and they can do a lot of things to help Iraq," he said.
Their work will be published at an international robotics conference in Dubai next month.
The engineers came to Adelaide from their home city of Najaf, south of Baghdad, on a scholarship.
To read the full piece from Australian Broadcasting Corporation, click here.