百度研發新演算法 可通過人工智慧防止踩踏事故

Chinese search engine giant Baidu has developed a machine-learning algorithm that predicts whether crowds are likely to form at certain locations in two hours, which could be used to prevent stampedes.

中國搜尋引擎巨頭百度公司近日開發了一項機器學習演算法。該演算法可以預測人群是否有可能在兩小時內在某些位置聚集，用以防止踩踏事故的發生。

The algorithm uses data from Baidu's map app, said a research report published by Baidu's Big Data Lab Tuesday, studying the number of map queries and the number of users in an area.

百度大資料實驗室週二釋出的研究報告指出，該演算法使用了百度地圖應用程式的資料，研究地圖查詢和使用者在一個地區的數量。

Its map app accounts for over 70 per cent of China's mapping services market, the company's user statistics show. Many Chinese users often search for an ideal travel route using Baidu Maps.

該公司的使用者統計資料顯示，其地圖應用程式佔中國地圖服務市場的70％以上。許多中國使用者經常使用百度地圖搜尋理想的旅行路線。

The lab began to concentrate on how to predict crowds in certain areas following the Shanghai stampede on New Year's Eve in Dec 2014, where 36 people were killed during celebrations on the Bund riverfront, according to Wu Haishan, co-author of the report.

據該報告的合著者吳海山表示，在2014年12月的除夕夜，36人因踩踏事件死於上海外灘河邊慶祝活動之後，該實驗室就開始專注於如何預測特定區域的人群。

Using the map data, they found a way to determine the numbers in real time and trigger warnings 30 minutes to two hours ahead of time if unusually large crowds are expected to gather.

利用地圖資料，他們發現了一種方法來確定實時數字。而且如果將有大量人群聚集，該演算法則會提前30分鐘到兩小時觸發警告。

Wu said that the algorithm could be used by local governments, authorities and even venue operators to monitor crowds. It may eventually provide the function as a public service feature on Baidu Maps, according to Wu.

吳海山表示，該演算法可以由地方政府，主管部門和活動場地運營商應用於監測人群。他還表示，它可能最終會成為百度地圖的公共服務功能。

If implemented, the feature would allow users to see what the crowds are like in various locations using the app.

如果得以實施，這項功能將允許使用者使用應用程式，來看到不同位置的人群狀況。