Unification of Ground and Aerial Robots for creating advanced emergency response missions after a crisis

In the event of a crisis situation such as an earthquake, a flood, or a military attack, it is of paramount importance that first responders act efficiently, accurately, and quickly, in the search and rescue of survivors. In such scenarios Autonomous Robots can play a central role in their ability to quickly enter dangerous areas without risking the lives of first responders, and in providing critical operational data to the rescuers such as high-resolution 3D maps and location of survivors, etc.

Unfortunately, crisis scenarios also present the most challenging possible conditions for robotic autonomy. Confined spaces, blockages, smoke and dust, and the unstructured and unknown harsh environment, are all factors that limit the operation of the robotized first responders.

To overcome these challenges we have designed a novel robotic architecture that for the first time ever unifies multi-modalities in robotic locomotion (walking and flying), while creating an embodiment of autonomy.