Kennesaw State University researchers are developing new technology to help emergency teams respond more quickly and effectively after natural disasters. Led by assistant professor Da Hu, the project involves using drones and artificial intelligence (AI) to automatically assess building damage.
Kiara O’Neal, a junior majoring in computer science from Ludowici, Georgia, is working with Hu as part of Kennesaw State’s Junior & Senior Scholars Program. This program pairs undergraduate students with faculty mentors for hands-on research opportunities.
“Our goal is to provide a tool that helps first responders know exactly what they’re walking into before they even arrive,” O’Neal said. “By training AI to recognize different levels of structural damage from drone images, we can help emergency teams respond faster and more effectively.”
Hu explained that the current method used by agencies such as FEMA requires inspectors to check each building individually, which can take weeks. He said, “Currently, agencies like FEMA send inspectors to examine each building one by one. That process can take weeks. Using drones equipped with cameras, our system can cover a much larger area in a fraction of the time, automatically identifying whether a structure has major, minor, or no damage.”
The research builds on previous work by O’Neal and Hu involving bridge defect detection. O’Neal described how their focus shifted: “When we first started, we focused on bridge crack detection. Now we’re expanding that idea to buildings, teaching the AI to identify all kinds of post-disaster damage.”
To train the AI model accurately, students in the Cyber-Physical Infrastructure Resilience Lab are manually labeling thousands of drone images showing various types of destruction.
The team plans to partner with local emergency management departments for real-world testing once their system is ready. The technology could be applied not only after hurricanes but also following tornadoes, earthquakes, and other disasters.
O’Neal shared how participating in this research changed her academic ambitions: “When I first came to KSU, I thought I would just graduate and get a job. But through research, I discovered something I really love. It’s made me want to pursue a master’s degree or even a Ph.D.” She has presented her findings at national conferences such as NCUR and the IEEE Southeast Conference.
“It’s been an amazing experience,” she said. “Presenting helped me grow more confident and connected with other researchers who are just as passionate about using technology to make a difference.”
Hu emphasized the broader importance of their work: “Disasters are happening more frequently. If we can provide a tool that helps save time and lives, then it’s worth every bit of effort.”
