Rescuer

RESCUER - the emergency risk management tool

RESCUER was a project co-funded under the FP6-IST programme. It started in 2004 and ended in 2008.

The RESCUER project focused on both (a) the development of an intelligent mechatronic Emergency Risk Management tool and (b) on the associated Information and Communication Technology. Testing has been performed in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD), and Civil Protection Rescue Mission scenarios.

RESCUER outputs include guidance for risk management, which extends the possible range of interventions beyond current limitations.

RESCUER included multifunctional tools, two simultaneously working robot arms with dextrous grippers, smart sensors for ordnance search and identification, for human detection and for the assessment of the environment. It has been mounted on an autonomous vehicle. Advanced information and communication facilities lead to an improvement of emergency risk management. The detailed objectives are:

  • To develop an interface tool between the Emergency Risk Management Monitoring and Advising System and the existing data base systems for IEDD/EOD and Emergency Risk Management.
  • To improve risk management by using new mechatronic & intelligent methods for bomb disposal and rescue operations & IT techniques for the management of rescue missions.
  • To propose, develop and improve the risk management of IEDD/EOD and rescue operations through an Emergency Risk Management Monitoring and Advising System.
  • To apply and combine advanced and intelligent sensing techniques for the detection of explosives, chemical, biological and radioactive materials, and human bodies.
  • To develop advanced rescue planning methods and human-machine interface techniques for secure IEDD/EOD and rescue operations.
  • To design, build, and test a two arm intelligent mechatronic system, called RESCUER, for secure mobile support to IEDD/EOD, rescue operations and emergency risk management.
  • To promote the acceptance of RESCUER for improved risk management in anti-terrorist and rescue operations among civil protection authorities.

The project consortium was composed by 9 members from 7 Countries.

To visit the CORDIS page of the project, click here.