UAV Search and Rescue
The implementation of Unmanned Vehicles in Search and Rescue Operations
Who We Are
- Purdue Aviation Students studying the benefits of using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) or Drones in Search and Rescue operations. Our research aims to set a framework and protocol for First Responders to effectively utilize UAV technology in their Search and Rescue operations. Through the use of consumer grade drones and innovative software (Loc8) we believe we can effectively cut search times allowing for quick deployment of rescuers to the target or individual.
Mavic 2 Pro used in field work and experiments
Experiments and Field Work
Using consumer grade drones such as the Mavic 2 Pro we conduct multiple flights at different locations to simulate search and rescue operations with the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. Each flight is flown using different parameters in order to test what settings will work best in a search and rescue scenario.
From there the data is processed in Loc8, again, using different parameters to test what will work best.
Mavic 2 Pro Controller
Flight Planning
We compare the time it takes for Loc8 to identify the target with the time it takes to visually analyze each individual image. Detailed records are kept of the time it takes to do each aspect of our experiment in order to directly compare to the time it takes to conduct a typical "on-foot" search and rescue operation.
Field Sites
We have chosen 4 focal research sites that will simulate a missing person in different environments such as a small city, an open field, a forest and a lake.
Field Sites
Open Field Environment Field Site: Purdue Wildlife Area
Individual found in Open Field Environment using Loc8
Forest and Lake Environment: Fairfield Lakes Park, Lafayette, IN.
Urban Environment: Brookston, IN.
Loc8
Loc8 is an innovative new software (in beta) that is designed to process UAV imagery quickly in field and will identify targets or individuals in order to deploy rescue personnel. In theory this is a much quicker process than to visually analyze each image. We will run many experiments with Loc8 in order to answer key research questions regarding the parameters and protocols for Search and Rescue operations with drones.
Loc8 uses color values that will be likely be taken from an individuals clothing. It will then process the UAV images and search each image for these specific color values.
Loc8 will identify the target in an individual image and circle in red for easy and quick user identification.
A quality report will be produced with mission specific data such as the colors used and the Lat Long coordinates of the image, this will allow rescuers to locate the target on foot rapidly.
End Goals
Our research goal is to prove that the use of UAV's in search and rescue will be a faster method for locating an individual and deploying rescuers. We will create a method and protocol for search and rescue professionals that will allow them to implement the use of drones into their search and rescue operations and missions.
