Introduction
Our goal for this project is to address issues pertaining to search and rescue techniques, specifically comparing traditional methods against the inclusion of unmanned systems with the goal to decrease the time spent locating an object. Traditional search and rescue methods typically involve using either known locations or statistically likely spots where the subject might be and then using aerial support or large groups of ground searchers to help locate the subject. By testing the inclusion of unmanned systems we should be able to determine the most effective and efficient way to decrease search time. We will perform a series of search and rescue scenarios and aim to discover the correct combination of UAV, software, and ground personnel to locate the subject as quickly as possible.
What is the fastest way to locate an object in a SAR scenario? By performing and logging the time taken to locate the object in question we will determine if using unmanned systems is faster than if the search were only conducted on foot. Unmanned systems have the advantage of being able to fly at high altitudes and cover large areas very quickly which should give a major advantage over those on foot. They are also advantageous over manned aerial vehicles because they are cheaper to operate and maintain, and can be quickly transported and launched directly from the sight.
Does the inclusion of the Loc8 software help decrease the search time, or are there other more effective methods? There are many issues with inclusion of software; it can be very expensive, processing times can be alarmingly long, and depending on the situation an exact RGB value of the object may be required. We have selected Loc8 because it has a relatively short processing time and the software is almost custom built for the tests we are attempting to run. We will time the software and determine which strategy is fastest, attempting to find the person while the drone is performing the mission, going through the images by hand post flight, or using Loc8.
In search and rescue missions, time is the most crucial component. Karaca et al. (2018) examined the use of unmanned aerial systems in mountain search scenarios. They found that utilizing UAVs decreased the average time to find their target from 57.3 minutes for standard on-foot search procedures down to 8.9 minutes using UAVs. A further goal than to continue proving that UAVs are a much more efficient method of searching for people, but that our software, Loc8, can help decrease that time even further.
Role definitions are an important aspect of the research we have been and will be doing. Although our specific roles in each mission may vary slightly, our typical setup will include Ryan Riley as the pilot-in-command (PIC), Luke Hull as the sensor operator, Lucas Wright as the visual observer (VO), and Connor Yoder as a searcher. A future plan will be to include a group of individuals in our missions as searchers, people who have not seen the landscape before, and don’t know where the targets are in order to get realistic results. Luke Hull has taken diligent notes thus far, and will continue to do so throughout our missions and experiments. Testing and experimentation will primarily be Ryan Riley and Luke Hull, although all team members will take part in these tests when possible.
References
Karaca, Y., Cicek, M., Tatli, O., Sahin, A., Pasli, S., Beser, M. F., & Turedi, S. (2018). The potential use of unmanned aircraft systems (drones) in mountain search and rescue operations. The American journal of emergency medicine, 36(4), 583-588.
Robinson, Gene. First to Deploy. RPFLIGHTSYSTENS, Inc., 2012. Unmanned Aircraft for SAR and Law Enforcement
What is the fastest way to locate an object in a SAR scenario? By performing and logging the time taken to locate the object in question we will determine if using unmanned systems is faster than if the search were only conducted on foot. Unmanned systems have the advantage of being able to fly at high altitudes and cover large areas very quickly which should give a major advantage over those on foot. They are also advantageous over manned aerial vehicles because they are cheaper to operate and maintain, and can be quickly transported and launched directly from the sight.
Does the inclusion of the Loc8 software help decrease the search time, or are there other more effective methods? There are many issues with inclusion of software; it can be very expensive, processing times can be alarmingly long, and depending on the situation an exact RGB value of the object may be required. We have selected Loc8 because it has a relatively short processing time and the software is almost custom built for the tests we are attempting to run. We will time the software and determine which strategy is fastest, attempting to find the person while the drone is performing the mission, going through the images by hand post flight, or using Loc8.
In search and rescue missions, time is the most crucial component. Karaca et al. (2018) examined the use of unmanned aerial systems in mountain search scenarios. They found that utilizing UAVs decreased the average time to find their target from 57.3 minutes for standard on-foot search procedures down to 8.9 minutes using UAVs. A further goal than to continue proving that UAVs are a much more efficient method of searching for people, but that our software, Loc8, can help decrease that time even further.
Role definitions are an important aspect of the research we have been and will be doing. Although our specific roles in each mission may vary slightly, our typical setup will include Ryan Riley as the pilot-in-command (PIC), Luke Hull as the sensor operator, Lucas Wright as the visual observer (VO), and Connor Yoder as a searcher. A future plan will be to include a group of individuals in our missions as searchers, people who have not seen the landscape before, and don’t know where the targets are in order to get realistic results. Luke Hull has taken diligent notes thus far, and will continue to do so throughout our missions and experiments. Testing and experimentation will primarily be Ryan Riley and Luke Hull, although all team members will take part in these tests when possible.
References
Karaca, Y., Cicek, M., Tatli, O., Sahin, A., Pasli, S., Beser, M. F., & Turedi, S. (2018). The potential use of unmanned aircraft systems (drones) in mountain search and rescue operations. The American journal of emergency medicine, 36(4), 583-588.
Robinson, Gene. First to Deploy. RPFLIGHTSYSTENS, Inc., 2012. Unmanned Aircraft for SAR and Law Enforcement
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