In 2021, Google turned Android devices into earthquake alert systems. This new feature uses simple learning techniques and the numerous built-in sensors to create the biggest worldwide network for detecting earthquakes. Now, the company plans to improve this system even more by using smart technology.
A team shared insights on crafting a device powered by smart tech designed to foresee water surges up to a week in advance. This is especially noteworthy in areas lacking adequate forecasting data.
Exceeding 1.5 billion individuals, representing 19% of the global population, are subject to flood-related hazards, making it the most prevalent natural calamity. Recent statistics indicate that floods cause in excess of $50 billion in annual damages across the world.
Google believes that innovative steps can significantly lower flooding's dangerous effects, potentially saving countless lives each year. Since 2017, this pursuit has led Google to develop technologies aimed at predicting floods. These technologies now send warnings across various channels, including Google Search, Maps, and on Android devices.
The key to these predictive systems' success lies in the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning, technologies that have greatly improved the timing of flood forecasts.
Google has integrated these flood prediction technologies into the Flood Hub, a platform providing instant flood risk evaluations for more than 80 countries worldwide. This system now forecasts flood threats up to a week in advance, offering vital preparation time for those in harm's way.
