Indoor search and rescue missions can be extremely dangerous for first responders and law enforcement, especially in places like collapsed buildings where GPS signals don’t work.
Drones have changed how these operations are carried out, but high costs make it difficult to develop and use them widely.
To solve this problem, graduate students from Penn State’s Autonomous Robotics Competition Club (ARCC) have created an affordable two-drone system to assist in search and rescue.
Their system includes advanced mapping technology that helps first responders navigate dangerous indoor environments.
The team recently published a paper on their design in the AIAA SCITECH 2025 Forum.
This development comes after the team participated in the 2023 First Responder UAS 3D Mapping Challenge, where they won second place and a $20,000 prize.
In the challenge, teams had to design a cost-effective drone system that could provide valuable information for first responders.
The team’s system consists of two different drones. The first drone is small and simple, with minimal onboard computers, making it easy to fly.
The second, larger drone carries a sensor that builds a 3D map of the environment. This drone has a more powerful computer, allowing it to process and generate maps in real-time.
“Our two-drone system works together,” said Rachel Axten, a doctoral student in aerospace engineering and president of ARCC. “One drone is small and quick, with night vision and a live camera. The other is bigger and creates a detailed map of the area.”
The design allows flexibility depending on the rescue mission. First responders can customize and adjust the drones based on their specific needs.
The team built the system using off-the-shelf parts and custom software, keeping costs much lower than similar U.S.-made drones, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
The students learned a lot from past competitions and working with first responders. They simplified their design to make it as useful and affordable as possible.
“We had to balance features, size, weight, and price,” said Venkatakrishnan Iyer, a doctoral student and treasurer of ARCC.
“For example, we used a thermal camera that detects heat, but it only works in direct line of sight. More advanced sensors would be too expensive, so we had to find a trade-off.”
The team developed the drone system quickly but spent a lot of time testing and improving it. Testing at State College Airport helped them fine-tune the camera system and improve overall performance.
ARCC is not stopping here. The team recently won the first stage of the GoAERO Challenge, sponsored by Boeing, where they are working on an autonomous aerial vehicle for medical evacuations. This project could save many lives, and the final winning team will receive over $1 million in prize money.
The team has also qualified for the XPRIZE Wildfire Challenge, a four-year competition focused on developing drone technology to fight wildfires. They are competing for a $5 million prize by creating an autonomous system to detect and control wildfires.
“About 50% of helicopter accidents happen during medical evacuations,” Axten said. “Our technology could help save first responders and the people they are trying to rescue. It’s incredible work that can make a real difference.”
Source: Pennsylvania State.
