A tool developed at Texas A&M University is set to transform how emergency responders assess damage after disasters. The technology, known as CLARKE (Computer vision and Learning for Analysis of Roads and Key Edifices) uses artificial intelligence and drone imagery to evaluate damage to buildings, roads and other infrastructure in a matter of minutes.
CLARKE was created by a team of researchers led by Tom Manzini, a Ph.D. candidate in computer science and engineering, and Dr. Robin Murphy, a pioneer in the field of rescue robotics.
“This is the first AI system that can classify building and road damage from drone imagery at this scale and speed,” Murphy said. “We’re talking about assessing a neighborhood of 2,000 homes in just seven minutes. That kind of speed can save lives and resources.”
The system has already proven its value during the 2024 hurricane season, when it was deployed in Florida and Pennsylvania following Hurricanes Debby and Helene.
The Magic Of Machine Learning
The name CLARKE is a nod to science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke’s quote: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” According to Murphy, the name was inspired by drone pilots working with the system who began calling its machine-learning capabilities “magic.”
But there’s nothing mystical about the science behind it. CLARKE uses cutting-edge computer vision and machine-learning algorithms to analyze drone footage, overlay damage assessments on maps, and generate spreadsheets listing each structure’s address and damage level. For roadways, it even includes a Google Maps-style route planner that helps responders avoid impassable roads.
CLARKE doesn’t just tell you what’s damaged, it tells you how to get around that damage. That’s critical when every second counts. Dr. Robin Murphy Senior Professor of Computer Science and Engineering Texas A&M University College of Engineering
In rural or hard-to-reach areas, traditional damage assessments can take days, delaying aid and complicating logistics. With CLARKE, officials could launch drones and receive a comprehensive damage report within minutes, dramatically accelerating response times.
“Rural counties often have lost wireless connectivity so they can’t send imagery to state and federal agencies for manual inspection,” Murphy said. “CLARKE empowers them to take immediate action.”
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