USF search and rescue robots now identify "quick" and dead disaster victims

TAMPA, Fla. (Jan 29, 2004) - The University of South Florida's search and rescue robots that showed their worth in rubble of the World Trade Center the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorists attacks have now, thanks to a sophisticated medical sensor, learned to tell the difference between a dead and living victim. This ability will allow rescue workers to focus their efforts where they most matter - finding living disaster victims.

"Once a victim is found in rubble it may take up to 10 rescuers between four and 10 hours to get them out and into an ambulance," says Robin Murphy, director of USF's Center for Robot-Assisted Search and Rescue (CSASAR). "You just don't have enough people or time to rescue a dead victim. This new sensor will help rescuers determine if a victim is alive, saving rescuers valuable time and, ultimately, saving the lives that can be saved."

According to Murphy, the new medical sensor now installed in the trusty robots was developed originally by CRASAR researcher, Navy CDR Eric Rasmussen, MD, as a prototype for the U.S. Marine Corps' Chemical Biological Incident Response Force. In 2002, in cooperation with CRASAR, Radiance Technologies has built a commercial version of the sensor. CRASAR will unveil the new medical sensor at the 25th Annual International Disaster Management Conference 2004 in Orlando, Feb. 5-8 at the Rosen Plaza Hotel as part of an invited talk by Murphy with demonstrations on Friday, Feb. 6, 2004, 10:00-10:40 a.m. as part of the Disaster 2004 exhibits and during her talk on Sun, Feb. 8, 2004, at 9:00a.m. Disaster 2004 focuses on all facets of emergency medicine, from preparedness to response, attracting an audience of physicians, EMS and law enforcement personnel.

Members of the media will be able to observe the robot and sensor on Friday before the talk when the robot and its new sensor will demonstrate how it detects life in a mock victim decked out in injury simulation makeup applied by Marge Dolan of Image Perspectives School of Moulage. Murphy, Dolan, and representatives from Radiance Technologies will be available for interviews.

STORY SOURCE: Prof. Robin Murphy (813) 974-4756
Media Contact: Randolph Fillmore (813) 974-9051
Disaster 2004 & demo contact: John Todaro, REMT-P, RN (800)766-6335

CRASAR is the international leader in research and development of rescue robots, and directed the use of robots at the World Trade Center. CRASAR is located at the University of South Florida in Tampa. CRASAR is sponsored by the National Science Foundation, DARPA, the Office of Naval Research, and SAIC, Inc as well as CDMHA. Additional information is available at www.crasar.org. Radiance Technologies is a cutting edge technology company whose principal customers are the Department of Defense and NASA. Radiance specializes in signal and data processing, as well as enabling electronics that provide specific solutions to customer needs.

Links:
http://www.emlrc.org/disaster2004.htm
CRASAR