ΚΕ.ΜΕ.Α. team, in collaboration with the Samaria National Park Management Body, on 15 to 17 of July 2020, visited the Samaria National Park with the aim of:
- the data collection of sites with tourist interest in order to convert them into digital format.
- the collection of data and features for the configuration of tour and contingency plans
- collection of multimedia material for the further development and testing of the human detection algorithm using UAVs and the configuration of the relevant module of the XENIOS system.
The photographs in order to achieve the above actions were carried out using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) System.
The journey started on July 15th starting from the area of Agios Nikolaos. At this point the Church of Agios Nikolaos (Figure 1), the Forest guard house of Agios Nikolaos (Figure 2) and the Ancient sanctuary (Figure 3) were captured in three-dimensional form, as well as the Resting Area of Agios Nikolaos in a panoramic photo (Figure 4). Then, the shooting continued in the village of Samaria, in order to create an Ortho-rectified photo mosaic of the village of Samaria (Figure 5), and also in the church of Saint Mary (Figure 6) where it was captured in 3D. The journey continued the next day on July 16th, to the resting place and the church “Afentis Christos” (Figure 7) where a panoramic image was created. The last stop took place at the Remnants of a water saw located near the exit of the gorge of Samaria (Figure 8) which was captured in 3D. Finally, a panoramic shot was taken of the exit point of the gorge, including the nearby guard house of Agia Roumeli (Figure 9).
Figure 1: Church of Agios Nikolaos
Figure 2: Forest guard house of Agios Nikolaos
Figure 3: Ancient sanctuary in the area of Agios Nikolaos
Figure 4: Resting Area of Agios Nikolaos
Figure 5: Ortho-rectified photo mosaic of Samaria village
Figure 6: Church of Saint Mary
Figure 7: Resting place and the church “Afentis Christos”
Figure 8: Remnants of a water saw located near the exit of the gorge of Samaria
Figure 9: Exit point of the gorge – guard house Agia Roumeli
Picture 10: Snapshots from the trip
In addition to the above, videos were collected from various possible points where the pilot tests of the project will be carried out, as well as relevant material that will help in the development of the modules of the XENIOS system.
Finally, in addition to the field research in the Samaria Gorge, a meeting was held on 17 July at the offices of the Management Body and a discussion on the needs / particularities of the Gorge and the Agency in emergency cases, the requirements for the upcoming pilot tests, and the coordination of forthcoming actions.
During this visit, a representative from the European research project AIDERS participated, where he presented the benefits and potential of UAVs, as well as how to use them to enhance the preparedness and response of the first correspondents and stakeholders in emergency cases, such as that of a fire. In this context, the possibilities that UAVs have, combining with the artificial intelligence, were presented in real time.
