LaLone, N., Natta, J. V., Cormier, M. V., Fraune, M. R., Hamilton, B., Dugas, P. O. T., et al. (2023). Flying SD Cards, Aerial Repeaters, & Homebrew Apps: Emergent Use of Technologies for Collaboration in Search and Rescue. In Jaziar Radianti, Ioannis Dokas, Nicolas Lalone, & Deepak Khazanchi (Eds.), Proceedings of the 20th International ISCRAM Conference (pp. 1014–1032). Omaha, USA: University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Abstract: Search and rescue (SAR) teams are the first to respond to emergencies. This could include finding lost hikers, shoring buildings, or aiding people post-disaster. SAR combines orienteering, engineering, field medicine, and communication. Technology use in SAR has been changing with the proliferation of information communication technologies; so, we ask, how are established and emerging technologies used in SAR? Understanding how responders are adopting and adapting these technologies during SAR missions can inform future design and improve outcomes for SAR teams. We interviewed SAR volunteers to contextualize their experiences with technology and triangulated with additional questionnaire data. We discuss how technology use in SAR requires an intersection of expert knowledge and creative problem solving to overcome challenges in the field. This research contributes an understanding of the constraints on and implications for future SAR technologies and SAR operators’ creativity in emergent situations.
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Sanfilippo, F., & Rañó, I. (2023). Mimicking the Sense of Smell of Search and Rescue (SAR) Dogs: a Bio-inspired Steering Framework for Quadruped Robots. In Jaziar Radianti, Ioannis Dokas, Nicolas Lalone, & Deepak Khazanchi (Eds.), Proceedings of the 20th International ISCRAM Conference (pp. 892–901). Omaha, USA: University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Abstract: Due to their sense of smell and ability to explore areas for missing people, dogs are valuable for search and rescue (SAR). Canines can discover humans under water, under snow, and even beneath crumbling structures because they can smell human scent. Building unmanned autonomous quadruped robots with canine agility is an attractive step to fully replicate the capabilities of dogs. Robots with legs are already capable of mimicking some of the physical traits of dogs, such as the capacity to traverse rough terrain. However, they would need to replicate also the level of sensory perception of a dog to successfully perform SAR operations. To achieve this, a navigation strategy that uses a direct sensor-motor coupling by following the principles of the Braitenberg vehicles is adopted in this work. This paper represents one of the first steps towards the connection of bio-inspired sensor-based steering mechanisms and bio-inspired locomotion for quadruped robots.
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Samuel Auclair, Pierre Gehl, Mickael Delatre, Christophe Debray, & Philippe Méresse. (2022). In-depth Analysis of Practitioners' Perceptions about Seismic Early Warning Prior to Aftershocks: The Point of View of the USAR Community. In Rob Grace, & Hossein Baharmand (Eds.), ISCRAM 2022 Conference Proceedings – 19th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 740–754). Tarbes, France.
Abstract: Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams are particularly exposed to the risk of collapse of buildings due to aftershocks, making concept of earthquake early warning (EEW) particularly interesting. In addition to scientific advances in EEW, it is crucial to understand what are the real expectations and needs of USAR teams, and to what extent EEW solutions could meet them. In this study, we conduct a survey to collect insights from USAR rescuers: it highlights that aftershocks are a major concern for them. In this context, we find that the concept of EEW is very favorably received by the respondents, who consider different types of possible actions upon receipt of an early warning. This study provides a basis for the functional specifications of future solutions of EEW useful to all USAR teams, as well as for the definition of their modalities of engagement on the field.
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Lennart Landsberg, Alexandra Braun, Ompe Aimé Mudimu, & Klaus-Dieter Büttgen. (2021). Considering end user needs when developing new technologies – a new plug and play sensor technology for locating trapped victims. In Anouck Adrot, Rob Grace, Kathleen Moore, & Christopher W. Zobel (Eds.), ISCRAM 2021 Conference Proceedings – 18th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 922–928). Blacksburg, VA (USA): Virginia Tech.
Abstract: Building collapses often happen unexpectedly and suddenly. Consequently, people are often buried under the debris. What follows is a complicated search by first responders, which is characterized by time pressure and danger. In the research project SORTIE, a modular and UAV-based technical system is being developed to support the first responders in their search efforts. During the first phase of this project, an extensive requirements analysis was conducted with the involvement of end users. This ensures that the developed technology meets the requirements for later use under realistic circumstance. The project consortium has good experience with this operational approach and is in close cooperation with end users who are part of the consortium. In addition to a comprehensive understanding of building collapses and prevailing conditions, the technical partners were also able to identify requirements that they might not have discovered without the involvement of end users and the appropriate methods.
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Tiina Ristmae, Dimitra Dionysiou, Miltiadis Koutsokeras, Athanasios Douklias, Eleftherios Ouzounoglou, Angelos Amditis, et al. (2021). The CURSOR Search and Rescue (SaR) Kit: an innovative solution for improving the efficiency of Urban SaR Operations. In Anouck Adrot, Rob Grace, Kathleen Moore, & Christopher W. Zobel (Eds.), ISCRAM 2021 Conference Proceedings – 18th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (pp. 867–880). Blacksburg, VA (USA): Virginia Tech.
Abstract: CURSOR (Coordinated Use of miniaturized Robotic equipment and advanced Sensors for search and rescue OpeRations) is an ongoing European H2020 project with the main objective to enhance the efficiency and safety of Urban Search and Rescue (USaR) operations on disaster sites. CURSOR's approach relies on the integration of multiple mature and emerging technologies offering complementary capabilities to an USaR system, so as to address several challenges and capability gaps currently encountered during first responder missions. The project's research and development are structured around an earthquake master scenario. CURSOR aspires to advance the state-of the-art in several key aspects, including reduced time for victim detection, increased victim localization accuracy, enhanced real-time worksite information management, improved situational awareness and rescue team safety.
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