10 Best Examples of Rescue Robots You Should Know

This article lists 10 rescue robots that are extremely useful in disaster management

The number of natural disasters worldwide has quadrupled. And whenever it comes to such cataclysmic events, response extra help is always needed. And this is where rescue robots are beneficial. One can find four major types of rescue robots. Water rescue robots, fire fighting robots, land rescue robots, and drones. Disaster response robots function by helping first responders tackle any emergency situations. These robots can fly, swim, and crawl through uneven surfaces and rubble along with tackling fires as well. Here are some robots that have been working in disaster management.

1. Velox, an amphibious robot from Pliant Energy, navigates terrain using its silicone fins, swims through dangerously cold water, skates through ice, and pushes snow to rescue the victims. Although it resembles nothing of a rescue robot it is extremely useful for saving someone who has fallen through thin ice or morbidly cold water.

2. EMILY or Emergency Integrated Lifesaving Lanyard by Hyrodnalix is a hybrid flotation buoy-lifeboat. It was developed back in 2010 and is a 4-foot and 26-pound remote-controlled robot that can move at 23 miles per hour. It has been known to save hundreds of people during European migration and attended to 240 people for 10 days alone. It can also carry 5 people and can withstand massive waves and other impacts, thanks to its Kevlar-reinforced hull. 

3. The search and rescue system from Video Ray is a remote-operated, video-enabled, joystick-controlled versatile device. It is a versatile submersible with multibeam sonar imaging, high-powered lights, metal gauges, and GPS for the rescue and recovery mission. Its best operation includes finding a drowned victim who collapsed in an ice-top lake.

4. Boston Dynamics Atlas is a world-famous robot known for its association with the semi legendary DARPA robotics challenge. It can help emergency-management crews in managing natural and man-made catastrophes. As part of the DARPA challenge, Atlas was designed to perform tasks in dangerous conditions such as flipping switches, shutting off valves, opening doors, and running power equipment which though sounds simple are life saving in nature.

5. The SkyRanger drone by Teledyne FLIR is the ideal choice for search and rescue. It is equipped with thermal imaging and motion tracking and makes a launch within just a few minutes after arriving on the scene with first responders. The drone contains both infrared and daylight cameras to detect humans in difficult terrain and hidden locations.

6. Jueying X20 is a quadruple developed by DEEP Robotics. It is quite shaped like a dog and is able to move through various terrains and withstand extremes of weather. It also comes with features like autonomous navigation, 187-pound working load and ability to climb 35 degree slopes. 

7. Firefighter robots Thermite RS1 and RS3 by Howe&Howe are the best in their field. They run on diesel engines with 23 horsepower and are remote controlled in nature. It is capable of blasting out up to 2500 gallons of water and foam per minute and climbing slopes of 70 degrees. The robots are specialized in dealing with industrial grade fires, HAZMAT AND BELVE'S fires.

8. The fire in 2019 that devastated France's Notre-Dame Cathedral was a humongous loss in every aspect. if not for Shark Robotics'Colossus it could have been worse. Armed with its WALL-E-like treads and the power to blast 660 gallons of water per minute, this 1,100-pound fireproof robot acted bravely in the situation and acted in places where firefighters could not reach. It is also known to save the lives of firefighters crew and wounded victims by transporting them and assessing difficult situations. 

9. Lockheed Martin is known for developing fighter jets like its F-35. They are a fleet of autonomous unmanned systems, which also includes submarine trackers and aerial reconnaissance drones. They are able with 6,000-pound cargo capacity. 

10. Small aerial drones are developed by Wyss Institute at Harvard. These drones are named RoboBees and they can fly, swim, dive, and propel out of water. It is anticipated that these drones can be extremely useful in environmental monitoring and biological studies to search and rescue.The robot's wings flap at 220 to 300 hertz in air and 9 to 13 hertz in water, allowing them to move swiftly through air and water.