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Hong Kong hygiene authorities plan to use artificial intelligence in their cameras to spot dripping air conditioners. This follows the success of night-vision devices in improving their efficiency.
Wan Chi-shun, from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, said they spent HK$1.3 million to develop 38 night-vision cameras. These cameras have been in use since May to find water leaks from high-rise buildings.
Wan said the department had settled 5,200 cases of dripping air conditioners between May and August 24. This was achieved with the help of cameras and other inspection and enforcement measures.
Each of the city’s 19 subdistricts has one first-generation camera and one second-generation camera.
Officers need to move the cameras manually to find dripping water with the first and second-generation devices.
The first-generation cameras can cover buildings up to 20 storeys tall. The second-generation cameras can cover sites with up to 40 storeys.
Wan said the planned third-generation cameras would use AI, in addition to efforts to increase the devices’ zoom capabilities. The department hoped to roll them out next year.
