Design & development of the RESCUE MIMS, V2

The RESCUE-MIMS device delivered inside the SnR project can be used for the early detection of toxic environments for the first responders in terms of hazardous Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) or semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (semi-VOCs) identified in the disaster environment. It can also be mounted on fire-fighters vehicles (roving system) or tested as a payload on robotic platforms in order to serve as a screening tool for early warning. This configuration can protect first responders as well as canines from exposure to toxic environments. The RESCUE-MIMS prototype is foreseen to be tested on-board DFKI ground robot and demonstrated under UC4, in the framework of an Industrial Fire Scenario. Moreover, the RESCUE-MIMS device, due to its low detection capabilities can also be used for measuring chemicals at low concentrations that have been correlated in literature with human presence, trying to mimic rescue dogs. It is foreseen to test the device under UC5 (Victims trapped under rubbles) for monitoring online indicative “human chemical signs”. Though, it should be highlighted that such an ambitious “artificial sniffer” should be seen as a complementary SAR technology to the existing ones, without trying to exclude the rescue dogs. It is foreseen to be used complementarily with the other conventional SAR methods, such as geophones, cameras etc. so that to endorse the first responders’ spectrum of operational tools. Deliverable D5.5 (M18) is a follow-up of D5.1 (M10). Its main purpose is to focus on the design configuration of the RESCUE-MIMS prototype for serving the specific needs of the two pilot scenarios that the RESCUE-MIMS will be used inside the SnR project, (a) for measuring online components relevant to human presence to possibly support the search and rescue operation of entrapped people in the rubbles (under the UC5 - see Chapter 4 of this document) and (b) for measuring on-line chemical hazards on-board robotic platforms for the safety of the first responders (under the UC4 - see Chapter 5 of this document).