Students at the ETH Zurich Autonomous Systems Laboratory in Switzerland have developed a flexible search and rescue robot called RoBoa, which will help rescuers work in disaster zones. According to New Atlas, RoBoa moves like a snake and is equipped with a “head” filled with sensors to search for survivors under rubble.
The robot consists of a pneumatic inflatable tube made of fabric connected to a control unit. This unit performs two functions: it fills the tube with air under pressure and contains the collapsed part of the tube, as well as computing power and control electronics. A camera located on the robot’s head transmits images to an operator who remotely controls RoBoa.
200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000The first 10-meter-long prototype successfully passed tests in a simulated environment with the participation of Swiss rescuers, finding a person under the rubble. The developers claim that the robot’s design length can reach 100 meters, and the diameter of its tube is adjustable depending on the tasks.
RoBoa can be equipped with a microphone and speaker so that the operator can communicate with survivors.
The project continues to develop and the team is working to expand the robot’s functionality so that it becomes an indispensable tool for rescue operations.