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2008 Issues Archive
26 November 2008
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Stair-climbing robot for rescue work
A group of engineering students from Warwick University is making a stair-climbing robot as the UK entry for the European Robocup Rescue competition.
The motorised search-and-rescue robot, which uses lasers and infrared technology to locate survivors, is being built for the competition at Hanover next April. The competition tests robots designed by teams from all over Europe in a simulated disaster environment.
The manually controlled robot, which runs on tracks, has the ability to climb stairs, avoid obstacles and spot survivors using an infrared camera.
The camera, fitted to one of the robot’s arms, allows the machine to locate hotspots and read body temperature to find survivors trapped in the dark or under rubble. Sensors alert the operator to any movement.
Matthew Rooke, an engineering student in the Warwick team, said: “When an earthquake happens the rescue team will be able to send in the robot first to find the victims. They can then go straight to that location without putting their lives in danger. It will save them time and improve their safety.”
The small electric robot, which has been built using lightweight materials such as aluminium to improve battery life, runs on three motors. Two power it to move and spin on the spot and the other operates two metal arms, called flippers. These can grip elevated surfaces to pull the machine upstairs.
To help improve balance and enable steep ascents, a fourth motor with two more electric flippers will be fitted to the rear of the machine.
The robot has a 270° laser scanner and a sonar system, which stops it bumping into walls and helps it avoid obstacles.
If it approaches an obstacle, the laser scanner beam is reflected off it.
Through the robot’s sensors and the angle of beam reflection, the robot knows it has to change direction and where it needs to move to.
Rooke hoped to do well in the Robocup competition and said military contractors were already interested in developing the robot as a commercialised product for search-and-rescue operations.
“It is unique in terms of its robustness to get over obstacles and get into small spaces,” said Rooke.
“We hope that it can be used in real-life situations.”
© PE Publishing, 26 November 2008
