As I was assigned to be in the Science and Technology group, I need to read an article about Science and Technology this weekend ;p And I found one interesting article about smart search-and-rescue robots.
"New communications tools help emergency responders"
And this is a link to the article: http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/10/29/disaster.communication/index.html
Summary: Because rescue crews' tools don't work well in searching survivors in the destroyed-by-disasters places, some researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology are trying to improve these tools. They created smart search-and rescue robots which communicate with the person controlling them and the transmitters via radio signals. But in the rubble pile of exploded buildings, radio signals can be lost easily depending on scattering and distance between the operator and the robot. The further distance and more scattering environment, the less power of radio signals. As a result, these robots can monitor their received signal strengths and will amplify the radio signals if they know they are going to lose the communication between them and operators. These robots can help rescue workers search survivors better and also protect the lives of these workers who do dangerous rescue work.
Response: I think these robots are really helpful because they will decrease the danger risk of these rescuers and help rescuers find survivors easier. Also, these robots use radio signals to contact with their operators. So it will be better if something happens in the ruins, rescuers will be saved because they can control the robots somewhere else outside those ruins. And the most interesting for me is that these robots can monitor received signal strengths and can amplify them using their repeaters! This make robots can go further... Good! In my opinion, the development in technology is making our world better if people use these technologies in the right and appropriate way :)
When I read this article, I wonder how operators control these robots? I think these robots must have a camera so that operators can see environment, and navigate and control them. Also, I want to learn more about the way operators communicate with robots.
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1 comment:
An interesting article Oui. It's true that the scientists develop new technologies to help people, and in this case they are trying to improve the activities of rescue. I would like to know how those robots work, because I like the mechanic part of robotics. I bet you that you are more interested on the electrical part.
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