Government to use drones to check on street cleaning and illegal slaughtering

已複製連結

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will expand the use of drones to trial fully automated aerial inspections and street cleaning operations.

Since last year, the FEHD has been collaborating with the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) to test drones that automatically cruise along preset routes. The drones use AI technology to analyse images, detecting rubbish accumulation, overflowing litter bins, and damage to refuse collection facilities, helping the FEHD deploy cleaning staff in a timely manner.

The FEHD plans to install drone take-off, landing, and charging stations on the rooftops of its public toilets. Subject to approval from the Civil Aviation Department, the system will be tested in two phases to achieve fully automated aerial patrols.

The department is also using drones to detect and combat illegal slaughtering and illegal frozen meat storage. From aerial footage, officers can gather intelligence such as the entry and exit points of suspicious premises, parking locations of suspect vehicles, and possible escape routes, thereby enhancing operational safety. Last year, a case involving the illegal slaughtering of goats was successfully uncovered using this technology.

(Photo courtesy of news.gov.hk)