Over the past week, Lithuania has been focused on the devastating disaster in Pabradė. Not only Lithuanian and allied troops but also Lithuanian businesses contributed to the search and rescue operation of missing US soldiers. Among those who offered to help and had the opportunity to contribute was the „Beta Via“ team with its innovative artificial intelligence- based peatland exploration equipment.

„For several years now, we have been working steadily on developing AI-based algorithms that enable drones with special equipment to explore peatlands and wetlands. The developed solution allows us to fly at low altitudes to survey wetlands and peatlands. The data is analyzed by an algorithm that already requires little human assistance. Although the system was not designed for military search and rescue operations, we decided to offer our solution to the armed forces because the area where the accident occurred is exactly the kind of terrain our system is designed for," says Linas Didžiulevičius, project manager of „Beta Via“.

After assessing the potential of innovative technology to contribute to the reconnaissance of the area, the Lithuanian Armed Forces were contacted on Sunday and the invitation to come was received very quickly. The „Beta Via“ team scanned the swampy area where the sunken vehicle was being searched for with a drone and provided a version of how the searched vehicle was positioned. This version was later confirmed after the missing armoured vehicle was recovered.

"When the armoured vehicle was pulled out, we thought the operation was over. However, we were called back to the scene of the accident because the operation was being continued to find the missing fourth soldier. We searched the area twice with the equipment we had and provided coordinate points where the equipment detected anomalies. The area was also searched by specially trained service dogs. Thus, through joint efforts, the missing soldier was found in one of the points detected by our drone," commented L. Didžiulevičius on the operation.

US General Curtis Taylor, recounting how the fourth missing soldier was found, said that the success of the operation was due to a joint effort. „We brought together Lithuanian private companies, a company that had a drone and a ground penetrating radar. Our continued support from our excavation team and the Estonian dog team came together to continue the search for the fourth soldier and we ultimately found him. He was detected by the dogs and the ground-penetrating radar and recovered adjacent to where the vehicle has been.”

According to „Beta Via“ representative L. Didžiulevičius, it was a great honour for the whole team to be part of this important operation, which showed that we are united in critical situations. „We received thanks from both the allies and Lithuanian commanders for our support and know-how in a difficult situation. We are proud of our team – Sonata Adomavičiūtė-Grabusovė, Jonas Pakausis, and Vytautas Paura – who did not hesitate to use this innovative technology and trusted that it could be applied in such difficult conditions.”