Rescue Robots Part of United Nations International Search and Rescue Group

The University of South Florida's Center for Robot-Assisted Search and Rescue (CRASARtm) conducted the first use of rescue robots in a joint international exercise, and has been added to the UN registry as the only international response team specializing in rescue robots. Rescue robots were first used at the World Trade Center disaster and this event marks growing awareness of this new technology. The exercise was conducted with Rescue South Africa in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Dec. 4, 2002, as part of a three-day meeting of the United Nations' International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG).

INSARAG was formed by the United Nations in 1983 in order to improve disaster preparedness and response efforts. Rescue South Africa, the host of the INSARAG search and rescue team leader meeting, participated in the recent Turkey and India earthquake responses. During the exercise, a shoe-boxed sized robot was used to enter a void after rescue dogs indicated a human was trapped within. The robot, made by Inuktun Services, Ltd., Canada, located the person trapped in a simulated rubble pile using onboard thermal and video cameras, allowed rescuers to converse with the person via two-way audio, then helped provided structural information to workers extracting the victim.

In addition to the three-hour joint exercise, CRASAR made a formal presentation on rescue robots on Dec. 5 to teams from the United States, Australia, Belarus, China, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Russia Federation, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, and Taiwan.

CRASAR is directed by Prof. Robin Murphy, and consists of roboticists, students, and medical personnel who have trained to use backpack-sized robots and specially-developed sensors for urban search and rescue. Many of the members are also certified technical search specialists. Since 9/11, CRASAR researchers have obtained nearly $1.75 million in funding from the National Science Foundation, the Center for Disaster Mitigation and Humanitarian Assistance, Office of Naval Research, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and Science Applications International Corporation; developed a new medical sensor package and tested with the US Marine Corps Chemical Biological Incident Response Force; has conducted rescue robot awareness training of over 200 rescuers; as well as have published numerous articles.

The CRASAR strike force is designed to supplement one or more standard response task forces. The team maintains a four-hour readiness level, and can be self-sufficient in the field for 72-hours. The team is fully equipped, including a Suburban emergency response vehicle and a 28-ft trailer modified to transport robots and related equipment and to provide repair facilities in the field. The team is based at the University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, as part of the department of computer science and engineering.

For more information contact:

USF Media Relations at (813) 974-9092
Alicia Slater-Haase (College of Engineering) at 813-974-9896