Saudi Researchers Reveal High-Tech AI-Powered Camel Tracking System

A research team at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has developed a low-cost, AI-powered drone system capable of detecting and tracking camels from the air, offering a modern solution to one of Saudi Arabia’s oldest traditional practices.

According to a KAUST press release, the technology provides an affordable alternative for camel herders who currently rely on expensive GPS collars and satellite tracking.

Scientists also expect the system to generate valuable insights into camel behavior, migration patterns, and grazing habits.

Developed by Professor Basem Shihada and his team, the system uses commercially available drones equipped with standard cameras.

The researchers captured aerial footage of small camel herds in Saudi Arabia and trained their machine-learning model to recognize and follow the animals in real time.

KAUST scientist Chun Pong Lau said the model revealed non-random, identifiable migration patterns. The research showed that camels — particularly older ones — graze in coordinated movements over long distances but consistently return to their herders by sunset.

The team maintained a minimum drone altitude of 120 meters to avoid disturbing the animals, which proved sensitive to drone noise.

Camels remain vital to Arabian culture and contribute over SR2 billion ($534 million) annually to Saudi Arabia’s economy through food, textiles, and tourism.

However, herders continue to face challenges as roaming camels can travel up to 50 km per day across remote terrain, leading to livestock loss, overgrazing, and road accidents.

Shihada’s team now plans to expand its dataset by collecting footage of larger and more diverse herds to further improve AI accuracy and performance.

The post Saudi Researchers Reveal High-Tech AI-Powered Camel Tracking System appeared first on ProPakistani.

A research team at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has developed a low-cost, AI-powered drone system capable… Read More

The post Saudi Researchers Reveal High-Tech AI-Powered Camel Tracking System appeared first on ProPakistani.