Hong Kong tests thermal drones to catch illegal smoking at construction sites
Hong Kong labour authorities have begun testing an infrared thermal-imaging drone to detect heat sources and illegal smoking at construction sites, with plans to add artificial intelligence (AI) to identify smoking workers. Since the total site smoking ban took effect on July 17, about 1,400 construction sites have been inspected as of Tuesday, according to Wan Chi-ping, assistant commissioner…
The Hong Kong Labour Department has initiated testing of an infrared thermal-imaging drone to identify and penalize illegal smoking at construction sites. As of Tuesday, approximately 1,400 sites had been inspected since the total smoking ban commenced on July 17, with 39 fixed-penalty notices and 11 improvement notices issued to contractors.
Two cases are currently under evidence review for potential prosecution, with authorities describing the level of illegal smoking as "not ideal," though enforcement remains challenging during the ban's initial phase.
The enhanced drone, operated by the Labour Department under the new regulation, enables safety officers to detect heat sources from a distance through thermal imaging. During a demonstration at a Yuen Long construction site on Wednesday, the drone's real-time footage highlighted heat sources with a red dot, allowing operators to zoom in with optical cameras to assess fire safety compliance or spot illegal smokers.
Wan Chi-ping, assistant commissioner for labour, explained that the infrared lens enables precise identification of various heat sources across the site, thereby strengthening enforcement efforts.
The drone can be programmed to detect specific temperature ranges, such as 60 to 80 degrees Celsius, to pinpoint cigarette embers. Operators can capture images of workers' physical features and locations for enforcement purposes. Although no smokers have been apprehended using the technology thus far, the department plans to expand its fleet of infrared drones to six or seven by September. Currently, the drone operates for 40 to 50 minutes on a single battery charge and can fly up to 90 meters in altitude.
The Labour Department has been testing one infrared drone with limited success thus far. Plans are underway to integrate artificial intelligence with thermal imaging to improve the identification of smoking behavior and facial features, enhancing efficiency in enforcement. Wan mentioned that the department is currently in the tendering phase to secure contractors who will develop customized AI software.
The research phase is projected to last nine to 12 months, after which the department will assess the results to establish the timeline for the full deployment of the AI-enhanced drones.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
