Artificial intelligence cameras capable of detecting when a swimmer is in trouble are set to be trialled at two Brisbane public pools within months, as the city looks to technology to bolster water safety at its aquatic centres.
Brisbane City Council will install the Lynxight AI system at Runcorn Aquatic Centre and Yeronga Park Memorial Pool, where the technology will continuously monitor all swimmers and send immediate alerts to lifeguards if someone appears to be struggling or in distress.
How the AI Drowning Detection Technology Works
The Lynxight system uses artificial intelligence to keep a constant watch over every swimmer at a venue simultaneously — a task that can challenge even the most attentive human supervisor, particularly during busy periods. Rather than replacing lifeguards, the technology is designed to act as an additional layer of supervision, flagging potential emergencies as they develop.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner described the system as an "extra set of eyes" for lifeguards on duty, emphasising that speed is critical when a swimmer gets into difficulty.
"When someone is in trouble in the water, every second counts and an earlier alert could make all the difference," Schrinner said. "If it can help our lifeguards spot someone in trouble sooner and prevent a tragedy, it's absolutely worth exploring."
The two trial venues are among Brisbane's busiest aquatic facilities. During last year's $2 Summer Dips promotion alone, Runcorn Aquatic Centre recorded 37,083 visits and Yeronga Park Memorial Pool attracted 59,369 visitors — underscoring the scale of supervision demands at peak times.
Part of a Broader National Rollout
The Brisbane trial is part of a wider national partnership between Lynxight and the Royal Life Saving Society Australia, which has already seen the AI technology deployed at other pools across the country.
The society's chief operating officer acknowledged the clear limits of what the technology can do on its own. "AI-powered drowning detection technology cannot have a conversation with a patron or pull someone from the water," he said. "But, working in partnership with lifeguards, it can help super-power their ability to see more and address gaps in supervision, providing a valuable additional layer of support."
The council has not yet confirmed a precise installation date, but both venues are expected to have the system in place within the coming months — ahead of the next summer swimming season.
