Ossendorfbad Invests in AI for Greater Safety in the Water

(eap) Every year, only in Germany several thousand people find themselves in emergency situations in swimming pools, as recently stated by KölnBäder, a municipal operator of swimming pools. To further increase the safety of guests, the KölnBäder are continuing to expand the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for drowning detection. Following the successful introduction of an AI-supported system from the company Lynxight at Cologne’s Stadionbad, the technology has also been in use at the Ossendorfbad since the beginning of this year.

At the Ossendorfbad, a total of 17 cameras are being installed step by step, which record exclusively the water surfaces of the swimming pools. The aim is to detect potential emergencies at an early stage and to provide targeted support to the lifeguards in their responsible work. The investment costs for the use of the AI technology at the Ossendorfbad amount to around 80,000 euros.

Using AI, the system analyses the movement behavior of bathers in the water in real time. If the software detects anomalies that indicate a possible emergency, the supervisory staff are alerted immediately so that life-saving measures can be initiated more quickly.

“With the use of AI technology at the Ossendorfbad, we are making a targeted investment in the safety of our guests. The system helps us to recognize critical situations more quickly and supports our lifeguards in their day-to-day work. What is important to us is this: the AI does not replace personnel – it is an additional tool that focuses attention and further increases safety in the pool,” explains Marc Riemann, Head of Pool Operations Management at KölnBäder.

At the same time, KölnBäder ensures that data protection standards are being observed. Thus, the cameras are directed exclusively at the water surfaces, video data are processed locally and automatically deleted after a short period of time. Facial recognition does not take place. In the coming years, further pools are to be gradually equipped with the AI technology to further strengthen safety across Cologne’s pool operations.

More about the use of AI in pool operations can be read in a related special feature published in EAP issue 3/2024. Insights and practical examples on the use of AI in corporate communications can be found in the current EAP 1/2026. ■