UAV-ODS: A Real-time Outfall Detection System Based on UAV Remote Sensing and Edge Computing

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing and edge computing provide new solutions for geospatial target detection. Recently, the survey of outfalls has become an important task for environmental protection departments in many countries. Traditional survey methods include manual coastal survey, satellite remote sensing, and aerial remote sensing, which are not highly efficient and subject to many constraints. In order to improve the efficiency of the survey, we propose an outfall target detection system based on UAV remote sensing technology, artificial intelligence technology, and edge computing technology. The system is divided into three main modules: the data receiving module, data processing module and display module. In order to verify the system's practicality, we conducted field experiments in an artificial lake. The results showed that the system can effectively detect the outfalls and roughly determine the outfalls' coordinates in terms of latitude and longitude, providing the environmental protection department with first-hand information to assist them in making better decisions.