An unmanned aerial vehicle for search and rescue applications

Abstract

Abstract Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have emerged as potential tools for search and rescue. This study evaluates the feasibility of developing UAVs for search and rescue from multiple perspectives, including positioning and environmental monitoring considerations. The system architecture incorporates a UAV equipped with sensors for particulate matter, temperature/humidity, and carbon monoxide (CO) detection. Data collected by these sensors were compared with official data from the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) in Taiwan to assess the reliability of the obtained results. The findings indicate that the data collected by the UAV closely align with the official data, suggesting their reliability and values as references. Furthermore, the study simulates the use of the UAV for automated flight route planning during disaster scenarios. The UAV efficiently navigates predetermined paths around disaster sites while monitoring environmental factors. The results highlight the importance of developing UAVs for search and rescue, as they integrate Internet of things (IoT) technology and provide geolocation and environmental information. The developed UAV enables the rapid acquisition of critical data, supporting decision-making and execution during rescue operations. This research provides a substantial demonstration of the UAV for search and rescue applications.