A De La Salle University (DLSU) assistant professor won recognition at the 2026 National Academy of Science and Technology Philippines Talent Search for Young Scientists (NTSYS) for developing an artificial intelligence system that uses drones to detect structural damage.
Timothy Scott C. Chu, a mechanical engineering professor at DLSU, developed the system by combining artificial intelligence with drones to identify cracks in infrastructure damaged by earthquakes, typhoons and environmental factors.
The system reviews building photos in two stages, first scanning for cracks with an eight-layer image recognition model. Images flagged for possible damage are then checked by a real-time object detector, which identifies and maps affected areas.
Chu said the system was designed to carry out the “inspection task in two steps instead of trying to do everything at once.”
The system has not yet been deployed in national infrastructure projects. Tests cited in the study show it can identify damage with more than 90% accuracy.
The presentation comes amid ongoing concerns about infrastructure quality across the country.
NTSYS is held annually by the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL), to honor young Filipino researchers and encourage careers in science.
