In a move that bridges rich heritage with future technologies, a research team at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has successfully developed an advanced system that uses artificial intelligence and drones to track and monitor camels from the air. This system offers an effective and cost-efficient solution for camel herders, contributing to the preservation of one of the oldest professions in Saudi Arabia, while also opening new scientific horizons for understanding the behavior of these unique desert creatures.
Historical background and importance of camels in Saudi culture
Camels, or “ships of the desert,” have long held a central place in the social, economic, and cultural fabric of life in the Arabian Peninsula. Throughout history, camels have been the primary means of transportation in the harsh desert, a major source of food and clothing, and a symbol of wealth and social status. Today, camel breeding remains an integral part of Saudi heritage, contributing over two billion Saudi riyals annually to the national economy through diverse sectors including meat and dairy production, textiles, heritage tourism, and the widely popular camel racing.
Modern challenges and innovative solutions
Despite their importance, camel herders face modern challenges. Herds may travel vast distances, up to 50 kilometers daily, in search of grazing, putting them at risk of getting lost in the expansive desert or causing serious traffic accidents on highways. Overgrazing can also lead to the degradation of vegetation. Traditional solutions, such as GPS-enabled collars, are often expensive and rely on satellite coverage that can be unreliable in remote areas
To address these challenges, Professor Basem Shehadeh’s team at KAUST designed a system that uses drones and inexpensive commercial cameras. The system photographs the herds from the air, then uses artificial intelligence algorithms and machine learning techniques to analyze the footage, identify the number of camels, and accurately track their movements—all without the need for expensive equipment.
Scientific insights and expected effects
The system's role wasn't limited to providing practical assistance to herders; it also revealed new scientific insights into camel behavior. "We discovered that camel grazing patterns aren't random, but rather follow organized, recognizable routes," says Chun Pong Lau, a researcher involved in the project. The results showed that older camels lead the herd on longer routes during the day, but always return to their herders before sunset. The camels' sensitivity to the drone's sound was also noted, prompting the team to establish a safe flying altitude of at least 120 meters to avoid disturbing them.
This innovation is expected to have a multifaceted positive impact. Locally, the system directly supports camel breeders, enhances road safety, and contributes to achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 by leveraging advanced technology to serve traditional sectors and preserve national heritage. Regionally, this model can be applied in other Gulf countries that share the same cultural heritage. Internationally, this research offers a pioneering model that can be adapted to monitor other types of livestock or wildlife in diverse environments around the world.
Future steps
The research team at KAUST is planning for the next phase, which involves collecting more data for larger and more diverse herds in terms of size and color, with the aim of increasing the accuracy of the AI model and its ability to recognize camels in various conditions, thus paving the way for wider adoption of this technology.
