Abbeycroft invests in AI-driven swimming pool safety

Leisure centre operator, Abbeycroft, has installed Artificial Intelligence (AI)-assisted lifeguard technology at the Mildenhall Hub, which it manages on behalf of West Suffolk Council.

The technology, supplied by Lynxight, is being used at Mildenhall Hub’s main six-lane, 25m pool and is designed to provide an extra layer of protection for swimmers. The system uses standard overhead cameras and AI to monitor and analyse swimmer behaviour, identifying potential risks or overcrowding that might lead to serious incidents.

When on shift, each member of the 20-strong lifeguard team wears a waterproof smartwatch, which provides real-time, colour-coded alerts when the system identifies an incident.

An orange alert indicates overcrowding, a yellow suggests the system has detected the behaviour of a pool user who might be in distress, and a red alert flags a potentiallyserious incident. Visuals pinpoint the location of the incident so lifeguards can respond immediately. The system also provides anyone wearing a watch with a live head count of pool users and negates the need for a manual count and record.

“The lifeguard team was excited about the technology from the start,” said Abbeycroft’s Julie Hughes.

“Our lifeguards look forward to coming in and wearing the watches. It’s made them more alert; they want to spot an incident before the system does.”

The installation of the technology is part of a wider collaboration between RLSS UK and Lynxight in the UK and Ireland, which aims to support pool operators to adopt affordable technology that complements existing lifeguard provisions.

Abbeycroft, a not-for-profit social enterprise, manages and operates 12 facilities on behalf of West Suffolk Council and Babergh District Council.