Unmanned systems provide invaluable services during disaster situations, particularly when there is a risk of radioactive contamination or the release of hazardous substances. The STARE (Swarm Technology for Autonomous Robotic Exploration) research project at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) explores how a swarm of robotic platforms could precisely analyze the spread of chemicals or harmful gases in the air.
Understanding how health-threatening substances move through the air helps emergency and rescue teams implement effective protective measures—and in critical situations, it can mean the difference between life and death. Since gas dispersion is non-linear, extensive environmental data must be collected to establish protective and evacuation zones as effectively and precisely as possible. By leveraging autonomous robotic swarms and specialized sensors, researchers at the DLR aim to develop innovative solutions for locating and monitoring atmospheric gases. The approach combines machine learning techniques with established physical models of gas dispersion, enabling ground robots and drones to autonomously predict and communicate findings, facilitating the rapid exploration of large areas.
Additionally, specialized algorithms are being developed to account for the impact of flying drones on the subject of investigation in predictive models. The rotors of drones function like fans, creating turbulence (downwash) that temporarily alters airflow and, consequently, gas streams.
> This article was created in cooperation with Drones, the magazine for the drone economy. www.drones-magazin.de