Cuerpo de Bomberos establishing a robotic development program. Our research focused on gathering data about the resources and time required for the Cuerpo to develop and perform maintenance on its own robots. We investigated the establishment and utilization of several established robotics advancement programs, including the Integrated Components for Assisted Rescue and Unmanned Search Operations (ICARUS) project and the Center for Robot-Assisted Search and Rescue (CRASAR). Gathering information regarding the implementation of these programs allowed us to suggest future research ideas and action plans toward the creation of a rescue robot program for El Cuerpo de Bomberos. In addition, these findings provided the basis for comparing the benefits and downsides of creating a robotics development program in comparison to purchasing robots from external companies.
Figure 16: TAF35 firefighting robot, 2018.
4.3.1 The ICARUS Project Program Creation & Information
The Integrated Components for Assisted Rescue and Unmanned Search Operations (ICARUS) research project was established in 2012 and is funded by the European Commission. The Commission observed a disparity between robotic technology that was being developed in laboratories and the use of these technologies for crisis management. In other words, the ICARUS project aims to develop robotic technology that can assist humans by gathering data during Search and Rescue (SAR) operations in order to bridge the gap between the research community and end-users of these technologies. The ICARUS project is a large commision supported by 24 partners spanning 10 countries in the European Union including the Belgian First-aid and Support Team(B-FAST) and the Portuguese Navy (Edwards, 2009). The Autonomous Systems group at Eurecat, the Technology Centre of Catalonia, led the initial development of robotic platforms for the ICARUS project. A primary task of crisis responders is to search for survivors, which can be complex and dangerous for first responders. The objective of the ICARUS project is to develop robots that gather data in order to reduce risk and impact of crisis on citizens and search and rescue teams.
Technology Development
When ICARUS was established, the Autonomous Systems group at the Eurecat Technology Centre was responsible for the initial development of the robotic platforms. The first project was the development of 10 aerial, ground or marine vehicles with the ability to detect humans. The focus of this project was to develop unmanned search and rescue technology that would gather data regarding emergencies and transmit that data for processing by human personnel in order to increase awareness and knowledge of each emergency (ICARUS FP7 project overview, 2012).
Upon its establishment, the ICARUS project identified eight main objectives to work toward their overall goals. The objectives are as follows:
● Development of a light sensor capable of detecting human beings;
● Development of Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) tools for unmanned Search and Rescue (SAR);
● Development of cooperative Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) tools for unmanned SAR;
● Development of cooperative Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) tools for unmanned SAR;
● Heterogeneous robot collaboration between Unmanned Search and Rescue devices;
● Development of self-organizing cognitive wireless communication network;
● Integration of unmanned SAR tools in command and control systems of Human Search and Rescue forces;
● Development of a training and support system for the developed unmanned SAR tools for Human Search and Rescue teams.
These objectives led ICARUS toward increased safety for victims and Search and Rescue during the crisis. ICARUS has had success with these objectives and many of the technologies have been used in the field (ICARUS - Assisted rescue and unmanned search operations.). The creation of the Large Unmanned Ground Vehicle (LUGV), built by METALLIANCE of France, has proven useful for detection of survivors and building manipulation in order to search through wreckage. All tools created by ICARUS are capable of navigating emergency areas
autonomously while following directions via wireless connection to a base station. Each robot can detect the presence of humans and can gather data that is sent to a base for analysis of how to proceed in emergency situations (Final report summary - ICARUS .2016).
Funding & Resources
The ICARUS Project was mainly funded by the European Union. From February 1st, 2012 to January 31st, 2016 the project received €12.584.933,45 [~13,609,032.41 USD] in funding from the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and
demonstration which was in operation from 2007 to 2013. They received additional funding from a number of external benefactors, making their actual budget over the four-year period
€17.306.992,64 [~18,711,887.77 USD] (ICARUS FP7 Project Overview, 2012).
4.3.2 CRASAR
Program Creation & Information
The Center for Robot-Assisted Search and Rescue (CRASAR) was created in 2001, towards the goal of promoting the effective use of unmanned air, ground, and marine vehicles by established emergency response agencies. Since then, CRASAR promotes unmanned vehicle use by offering volunteer unmanned vehicle services, such as information gathering, at the site of emergencies within 12 hours of the event. CRASAR also will provide training to emergency professionals to teach how to best deploy unmanned systems themselves (CRASAR: Our mission). The
organization recognizes that unmanned vehicles, whether air, ground, or marine, are able to speed up both response and recovery from disasters, resulting in reduced human injuries and damage costs. The use of unmanned vehicles also reduces the risk to first responders, as they are able to gather information and search for survivors from a location of physical safety.