Drones in Search & Rescue
Have you ever heard of the phrase “search and rescue” and if so, do you know what it means?
Group Discussion Questions on Search & Rescue
Search and rescue (SAR) is the process of locating and assisting individuals who are lost or are in danger.
Types of Search & Rescue Operations
There are many types of SAR operations that depend on the location, weather, and other unique circumstances.
Some types of SAR operations include:
Technology in Search & Rescue
Robots, including drones, are used in SAR operations to search where it is impossible or too dangerous for humans to search.
Parallel Track Search Pattern
Flying in a parallel track search pattern when conducting aerial searches is useful when searching a large area of land and when the location of an individual is uncertain.
This pattern consists of the aircraft flying in parallel lines, or lines that have the same distance apart at all times.
The Engineering Design Process
Let’s look at a variation of what is called the Engineering Design Process (EDP) which is a series of steps used by engineers to solve problems.
Case Study
In November 2024, a pet rescue group successfully located and rescued a dog named Lexi slipped out of her collar vanished into the woods in Dobbs Ferry, NY.
“Lexi was missing for hours but was recovered safely thanks to a view from overhead. She was tracked down with a drone equipped with thermal imaging.”
Activity Scenario
A lost dog wandered into a forest. The dog’s location is uncertain so Hopper acting as an SAR drone will fly in a parallel track search pattern during an aerial search.
You will code Hopper to fly in a parallel track search pattern in lines that are 5 feet apart.