Rescue Robot Team

to deploy contact: (813) 974-1347

The Center for Robot-Assisted Search and Rescue (CRASAR) at the University of South Florida maintains a cache of robots (both ground and aerial), sensors, and a team of scientists crossed-trained as responders or responders cross-trained as scientists to assist with a response. The equipment is generally not available commercially, but has undergone rigorous field trials. The team can be fully packed for state or international deployment in 4 hours, with all the needed equipment being configured for check through luggage. In addition, to the cache of robots and sensors, CRASAR may be able to draw upon resources from members of the NSF industry/university Safety Security Rescue Research Center to tailor technology.

The CRASAR team provides:

• miniature ground robot systems. These shoe-box sized mini-tanks are suitable for exploring 20-100ft in the interior of collapsed buildings, and are often used when a boroscope or camera mounted on a wand cannot provide enough information. These systems fit into a single backpack. All robots have video and 2-way audio and some models have a laser designator and zoom for structural assessment. In addition they can carry FLIR, hazmat detection, and medical payloads.
• aerial robot systems with day/night reconnaissance packages. These are either small fixed-wing or helicopters that fit into a SUV and fly very low. They provide more detailed images of a smaller area than a manned helicopter and do not require FAA approval to fly. These technologies give responders on-demand access and control of aerial views.
• sensors. These sensors can either be mounted on a robot or hand-carried. Sensors include FLIR (waterproofed), active night vision (Pursuit Vision) which is well suited for structural assessment of buildings in the dark, and passive night vision.
• remote medical support. The ground robots can transport fluids to victims as well asconduct a preliminary triage on possibly unconscious victims.
• general technical advice. You've heard of doctors without borders? think techno-geeks without borders.

The team is funded through a grant from the National Science Foundation, SSR-RC, and donations from SAIC.

The team has assisted with the World Trade Center disaster and Hurricane Charley and was invited to assist with the Bam, Iran, earthquake (though transportation issues prevented arrival before the international rescue was closed). The team is a member of Florida Task Force 3 (Tampa Bay Regional).