First Responder frequently face critical situations whose reconnaissance and handling is significantly afflicted with personal risks. Moreover, due to critical weather situations and increased use of technology in daily life there are situation in which even response experts do not have access anymore (mudslide, hazard materials). Modern robot technology can help to reduce these risks and restrictions. Because of different technical and economic reasons such technology is hardly used by first responder nowadays. The aim of this project is to develop a model that allows first responder to request robot technology and experts easily and quickly in a crisis situation. Similar models already exist to request for experts in chemistry or geology. The advantage of this model is that first responder to not have to hold available such complex and expensive technology and that it remains with an external specialized organization like an university or a company for training, maintenance and operation.

In order to establish such a model realistic use cases have to be identified in cooperation with first responder. Based on these use cases tactical, technical and juridical requirements have to be defined to allow for an effective and save integration of external robots and experts into daily routine. Moreover, regulations for the external technology partner in terms of maintenance, documentation, training and standby service have to be defined in order to guarantee continuous technical quality and fast response times.

The declared aim of the project is to develop a workable and well-founded model for the provision of robot technology to first responder. Moreover, the model has to be mature in order to be deployed in real missions without further development.

Project leader:
Ass.-Prof. Dr. Gerald Steinbauer
Institut für Softwaretechnologie, Technische Universität Graz

Cooperation partner:
Landesfeuerwehrverband Steiermark

Contact:
Ass.-Prof. Dr. Gerald Steinbauer
Institut für Softwaretechnologie, Technische Universität Graz
Inffeldgasse 16b/2, A-8010 Graz
Tel: +43 316 873 5723
E-Mail: steinbauer@ist.tugraz.at
http://www.ist.tugraz.at