| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/C510097/1 |
| Title: |
A biomimetic Robot for Exploratory Digging in Emergency search and rescue missions |
| Principal Investigator: |
Richardson, Professor R |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Computer Science |
| Organisation: |
University of Manchester, The |
| Scheme: |
First Grant Scheme Pre-FEC |
| Starts: |
18 April 2005 |
Ends: |
17 October 2007 |
Value (£): |
124,815
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Structural collapse of buildings can result from poor design, fires, accidental explosion due to gas leak, natural phenomena such as hurricanes and earthquakes, and deliberate human action. As buildings collapse humans can become trapped in the debris, being pinned down or having their escape routes blocked. The survival rates for trapped humans is time critical and after 5 days there is little chance of survival. Therefore, quick identification of victim location and extraction is critical. Rescuers must enter potentially unstable buildings to search for victims. In the aftermass of the1985 Mexico City earthquake 135 rescuers died attempting rescues. Rescuers have to contend with possible further building collapse, as well as electric shock, lack of oxygen, falls and slips, sharp objects and dust.Small mobile robotic systems have the potential to enter dangerous areas through small holes in the rubble and identify victim location without risk to the rescuers. Several prototype robotic systems are under development that has the ability to move thorough these hostile, cluttered environments. Robotic search attempts after the world trade centre collapse were severally limited by loose debris. This project seeks to develop mobile robot based upon biological inspiration, with the capability of burrowing through loose debris thereby preventing it becoming trapped by loose debris and allowing it to expose and explore new voids for signs of human life.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.man.ac.uk |