Russian Scientists Develop Vision System for Drones and Rescuers to See Through Smoke and Fog

A breakthrough imaging system developed in Tomsk enables drones and emergency crews to operate in zero-visibility conditions like dense smoke, fog, and underwater.

Researchers at Tomsk State University of Control Systems and Radioelectronics (TUSUR) in Russia have created a pioneering system capable of accurately measuring distances through smoke, fog, and even underwater. As reported by First Technical, the technology is expected to aid navigation for drones, assist drivers in poor visibility, and support emergency response teams.

The system relies on an active-pulse observation method, sending powerful short light pulses that penetrate low-visibility environments. Advanced algorithms then filter out noise, enabling the generation of high-resolution depth maps in real time. Unlike existing systems, the Tomsk design maintains both precision and speed under extreme conditions.

This technology could allow drones to fly through wildfire smoke, help rescuers detect obstacles during disaster missions, and assist drivers navigating through fog or heavy rain.

It has already been successfully tested in aerosol chambers, with real-time data processing speeds allowing it to detect objects while moving at up to 40 km/h.

Scientists behind the project believe their system will not only save lives but also unlock new capabilities for machinery in environments where conventional sensors fail.