Aerial Robots for Quick Information Gathering in USAR

The paper introduces R&D results and plans of aerial robot development for USAR. Different types of aerial robots have been developed and they are systematically combined so as to offer continuous information gathering in the suffered area. Autonomous helicopters are collecting the initial disaster situation from the sky for USAR first action. A blimp system and a wire robot system survey the victims under the collapsed houses. A captive balloon system with monitoring cameras presents bird's eye views of the suffered area continuously. These robots and technologies are integrated to a total solution for a quick information gathering in USAR.