[Tyler]

Robots Aid Rescue Teams in Haiti
     


We're not surprised to see robots aiding in disaster relief efforts in
Haiti. Beale Air Force Base has dispatched a
Global Hawk UAV that will provide aerial imagery to support
humanitarian efforts. But it looks like ground-based search and rescue
robots may not be as useful as in past disasters. Dr.
Robin Murphy of CRASAR says they are unlikely to send a ground-based
search and rescue robot team as
their robots are primarily useful in large building collapses, not in
residential areas, "dogs smell much faster than the most
agile robot can get in the rubble." She goes on to say,
In these large geographically distributed disasters, aerial
assets are helpful in establishing what is damaged, where people appear
to be in the most danger or need, and whether roads are passable. Marine
vehicles can be of value in inspecting sea walls and checking shipping
channels.

The United Nations has deployed several USAR teams into Haiti from
around the world, including two teams from the US.
One is the California heavy rescue task force, CA-TF2,
a 70 person team with 55,000 lbs of urban search and rescue
gear and medical equipment. Second is the Virginia VA-TF1
team with another 72 personnel and 48
tons of heavy equipment. Both teams have used search and rescue robots
on past missions but there's no word yet on exactly what equipment was
shipped to Haiti. It is known that both teams will make heavy use of
canine teams. The US Government has deployed
military teams to Haiti as well. US Air Force teams will repair
runways and set up air traffic control needed to get the main airport back
in operation. The US Navy is deploying at least 7 vessels including a
hospital ship, along with teams for rescue, salvage,
and construction. The aircraft carrier Carl Vinson, which is en route,
typically carries ROVs, AUVs, and
Predator UAVs. US Coast Guard cutters, C-130 aircraft, and helicopters
have been deployed for search and rescue. If you want to do
something to help as well, visit Google's Haiti disaster response
page.
   

http://robots.net/article/2974.html