Unmanned Maritime Systems (UMS), when used for search and rescue, require specialized applications and approaches to be used as people’s safety is the crucial point to consider while operating. The chosen system includes the integrated components for assisted rescue and crewless search operations and is called the ICARUS project. Its technology is divided into large fast systems built for quick reach to the disastrous area, and small slow tools to rescue and protect the survivors (Matos et al., 2017). The two-tier approach includes multiple sensors for each technology: laser scanners, weather stations, daylight and thermal cameras, obstacle detecting radars, and navigation systems. The radars can detect obstacles in the distance up to 24 nautical miles, but it is challenging for them to see fast objects. Thermal and daylight cameras are installed to assist with the navigation of GPS detectors.
The safety of the rescuers is the primary purpose of the ICARUS project’s applications, therefore technical challenges appear while conducting with the people on the water. The application has to integrate searching devices and be capable of changing approaches once the victims are detected. Searching for technology might face challenges like hazardous weather conditions during operations, and such issues have to be considered during development. Woo et al. (2017) state that “in the action planning stage, both deliberative and reflexive action planning is designed” (p. 2). Moreover, the rescuing time is limited, therefore sensors need to adapt quickly and react to provide accurate data without delays.
The operational processes developed to enable the ICARUS project’s applications are generally related to large and small systems’ collaborative performance. The technology allows the vehicles to search and rescue in complex situations and provide accurate data to keep situational awareness. The architecture of the unmanning operation system was also developed to improve the performance of vehicles. The sensors are programmed to share data from the board to control systems that automatically determine a suitable course of action (Prasad et al., 2017). Small systems include capsule technology, which is capable of carrying a rescuer safely, detecting the obstacles, and keeping a connection with the central station.
References
Matos, A., Silva, E., Almeida, J., Martins, A., Ferreira, H., Ferreira, B., Alves, J., Dias, A., Fioravanti, S., Bertin, D., & Lobo, V. (2017). Unmanned maritime systems for search and rescue. Search and Rescue Robotics, 77-92. Web.
Prasad, D. K., Prasath, C. K., Rajan, D., Rachmawati, L., Rajabally, E., & Quek, C. (2017). Maritime situational awareness using adaptive multi-sensor management under hazy conditions. Cornell University. Web.
Woo, J., Lee, J., & Kim, N. (2017). Obstacle avoidance and target search of an autonomous surface vehicle for 2016 Maritime RobotX challenge. 2017 IEEE Underwater Technology, 1-5. Web.