[{"command":"openDialog","selector":"#drupal-modal","settings":null,"data":"\u003Cdiv id=\u0022republish_modal_form\u0022\u003E\u003Cform class=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form ecl-form\u0022 data-drupal-selector=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 action=\u0022\/lt\/article\/modal\/13517\u0022 method=\u0022post\u0022 id=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 accept-charset=\u0022UTF-8\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHorizon articles can be republished for free under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.\u003C\/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003EYou must give appropriate credit. We ask you to do this by:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n      1) Using the original journalist\u0027s byline\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n      2) Linking back to our original story\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n      3) Using the following text in the footer: This article was originally published in \u003Ca href=\u0027#\u0027\u003EHorizon, the EU Research and Innovation magazine\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003ESee our full republication guidelines \u003Ca href=\u0027\/horizon-magazine\/republish-our-stories\u0027\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n      \u003Cp\u003EHTML for this article, including the attribution and page view counter, is below:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022js-form-item form-item js-form-type-textarea form-item-body-content js-form-item-body-content ecl-form-group ecl-form-group--text-area form-no-label ecl-u-mv-m\u0022\u003E\n        \n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n  \u003Ctextarea data-drupal-selector=\u0022edit-body-content\u0022 aria-describedby=\u0022edit-body-content--description\u0022 id=\u0022edit-body-content\u0022 name=\u0022body_content\u0022 rows=\u00225\u0022 cols=\u002260\u0022 class=\u0022form-textarea ecl-text-area\u0022\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ERobots to the rescue: miniature robots offer new hope for search and rescue operations\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the critical 72 hours after an earthquake or explosion, a race against the clock begins to find survivors. After that window, the chances of survival drop sharply.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen a powerful earthquake hit central Italy on 24 August 2016, killing 299 people, over 5\u0026nbsp;000 emergency workers were mobilised in search and rescue efforts that saved dozens from the rubble in the immediate aftermath.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe pressure to move fast can create risks for first responders, who often face unstable environments with little information about the dangers ahead. But this type of rescue work could soon become safer and more efficient thanks to a joint effort by EU and Japanese researchers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ESupporting first responders\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERescue organisations, research institutes and companies from both Europe and Japan worked together from 2019 to 2023 to develop a new generation of tools blending robotics, drone technology and chemical sensing to transform how emergency teams operate in disaster zones.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\u0022text-center text-blue font-bold text-2xl w-full lg:w-1\/2 border-2 border-blue p-12 my-8 lg:m-12 lg:-ml-16 float-left\u0022\u003E\n  \u003Cspan class=\u0022text-5xl rotate-180\u0022\u003E\u201c\u003C\/span\u003E\n  \u003Cp class=\u0022font-serif italic\u0022\u003EIt is a prototype technology that did not exist before.\u003C\/p\u003E\n  \u003Cfooter\u003E\n    \u003Ccite class=\u0022not-italic font-normal text-sm text-black\u0022\u003ETiina Ristm\u00e4e, CURSOR\u003C\/cite\u003E\n  \u003C\/footer\u003E\n\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETheir work was part of a four-year EU-funded international research initiative called CURSOR, which included partners from six EU countries, Norway and the UK. It also included Tohoku University, whose involvement was funded by the Japan Science and Technology Agency.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe researchers hope that the sophisticated rescue kit they have developed will help rescue workers locate trapped survivors faster, while also improving their own safety.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIn the field of search and rescue, we don\u2019t have many technologies that support first responders, and the technologies that we do have, have a lot of limitations,\u201d said Tiina Ristm\u00e4e, a research coordinator at the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief and vice president of the International Forum to Advance First Responder Innovation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EMeet the rescue bots\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt the heart of the researcher\u2019s work is a small robot called Soft Miniaturised Underground Robotic Finder (SMURF). The robot is designed to navigate through collapsed buildings and rubble piles to locate people who may be trapped underneath.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe idea is to allow rescue teams to do more of their work remotely, localising and finding humans from the most hazardous areas in the early stages of a rescue operation. The SMURF can be remotely controlled by operators who stay at a safe distance from the rubble.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt is a prototype technology that did not exist before,\u201d said Ristm\u00e4e. \u201cWe don\u2019t send people, we send machines \u2013 robots \u2013 to do the often very dangerous job.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe SMURF is compact and lightweight, with a two-wheel design that allows it to manoeuvre over debris and climb small obstacles.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt moves and drops deep into the debris to find victims, with multiple robots covering the whole rubble pile,\u201d said Professor Satoshi Tadokoro, a robotics expert at Tohoku University and one of the project\u2019s lead scientists.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe development team tested many designs before settling on the final SMURF prototype.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe investigated multiple options \u2013 multiple wheels or tracks, flying robots, jumping robots \u2013 but we concluded that this two-wheeled design is the most effective,\u201d said Tadokoro.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ESniffing for survivors\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe SMURF\u2019s small \u201chead\u201d is packed with technology: video and thermal cameras, microphones and speakers for two-way communication, and a powerful chemical sensor known as the SNIFFER.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis sensor is capable of detecting substances that humans naturally emit, such as C02 and ammonia, and can even distinguish between living and deceased individuals.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPut to the test in real-world conditions, the SNIFFER has proved able to provide reliable information even when surrounded by competing stimuli, like smoke or rain.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccording to the first responders who worked with the researchers, the information provided by the SNIFFER is highly valuable: it helps them to prioritise getting help to those who are still alive, said Ristm\u00e4e.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EDrone delivery\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo further improve the reach of the SMURF, the researchers also integrated drone support into the system. Customised drones are used to deliver the robots directly to the areas where they\u2019re needed most \u2013 places that may be hard or dangerous to access on foot.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\u0022text-center text-blue font-bold text-2xl w-full lg:w-1\/2 border-2 border-blue p-12 my-8 lg:m-12 lg:-ml-16 float-left\u0022\u003E\n  \u003Cspan class=\u0022text-5xl rotate-180\u0022\u003E\u201c\u003C\/span\u003E\n  \u003Cp class=\u0022font-serif italic\u0022\u003E\u0399t moves and drops deep into the debris to find victims, with multiple robots covering the whole rubble pile.\u003C\/p\u003E\n  \u003Cfooter\u003E\n    \u003Ccite class=\u0022not-italic font-normal text-sm text-black\u0022\u003EProfessor Satoshi Tadokoro, Tohoku University\u003C\/cite\u003E\n  \u003C\/footer\u003E\n\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cYou can transport several robots at the same time and drop them in different locations,\u201d said Ristm\u00e4e.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlongside these delivery drones, the CURSOR team developed a fleet of aerial tools designed to survey and assess disaster zones. One of the drones, dubbed the \u201cmothership,\u201d acts as a flying communications hub, linking all the devices on the ground with the rescue team\u2019s command centre.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOther drones carry ground-penetrating radar to detect victims buried beneath debris. Additional drones capture overlapping high-definition footage that can be stitched together into detailed 3D maps of the affected area, helping teams to visualise the layout and plan their operations more strategically.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlong with speeding up search operations, these steps should slash the time emergency workers spend in dangerous locations like collapsed buildings.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ETesting in the field\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe combined system has already undergone real-world testing, including large-scale field trials in Japan and across Europe.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne of the most comprehensive tests took place in November 2022 in Afidnes, Greece, where the full range of CURSOR technologies was used in a simulated disaster scenario.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThough not yet commercially available, the prototype rescue kit has sparked global interest.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe\u2019ve received hundreds of requests from people wanting to buy it,\u201d said Ristm\u00e4e. \u201cWe have to explain it\u2019s not deployable yet, but the demand is there.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe CURSOR team hopes to secure more funding to further enhance the technology and eventually bring it to market, potentially transforming the future of disaster response.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EResearch in this article was funded by the EU\u2019s Horizon Programme. The views of the interviewees don\u2019t necessarily reflect those of the European Commission. If you liked this article, please consider sharing it on social media.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022text-center bg-bluelightest p-12 my-12 -mx-16\u0022\u003E\n  \u003Ch3 class=\u0022font-sans font-bold text-blue uppercase text-lg mb-8\u0022\u003EShowcasing EU research at the World Expo\u003C\/h3\u003E\n  \u003Cspan class=\u0022inline-block w-1\/6 h-1 bg-blue mb-8\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n  \u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOsaka, Japan\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E13 April \u2013 13 October\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\u0022text-align:justify !important;\u0022\u003EThis summer, millions of people from around the world will head to Osaka, Japan, for \u003Cstrong\u003EExpo 2025\u003C\/strong\u003E. At this global gathering, countries and regions will share how they\u2019re tackling some of today\u2019s biggest challenges, from sustainability and digital connectivity to inclusivity and security.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\u0022text-align:justify !important;\u0022\u003EThe central theme of this year\u2019s event is \u003Cstrong\u003EDesigning Future Society for Our Lives\u003C\/strong\u003E. Visitors will get a chance to see how \u003Cstrong\u003EEU-funded research\u003C\/strong\u003E is helping shape that future. The EU\u2019s \u003Cstrong\u003ENurturing Tomorrow\u003C\/strong\u003E pavilion reflects Europe\u2019s commitment to building a greener, more connected and inclusive world.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\u0022text-align:justify !important;\u0022\u003EThe EU pavilion is hosting exhibitions, talks and interactive experiences that spotlight \u003Cstrong\u003Ecutting-edge EU research and innovation projects\u003C\/strong\u003E aimed at solving real-world problems and building international cooperation. Whether you\u2019re curious about the future of clean energy, digital tech, or inclusive design, there\u2019s something for everyone.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\u0022text-align:justify !important;\u0022\u003EVisitors to the Expo will see the CURSOR robots in action during the event\u2019s \u201cLearning and Playing\u201d thematic week from 18 to 21 July. Participants in the organised activities will be able to navigate the robot and follow its real-time data feed as it searches for victims trapped underground.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\u0022text-align:justify !important;\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EVirtual visit\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\u0022text-align:justify !important;\u0022\u003ECan\u2019t go to Osaka? Explore the Expo online at: \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.expo2025.or.jp\/en\/future-index\/virtual\/virtual-site\/\u0022\u003Ehttps:\/\/www.expo2025.or.jp\/en\/future-index\/virtual\/virtual-site\/\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/textarea\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\n            \u003Cdiv id=\u0022edit-body-content--description\u0022 class=\u0022ecl-help-block description\u0022\u003E\n      Please copy the above code and embed it onto your website to republish.\n    \u003C\/div\u003E\n  \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cinput autocomplete=\u0022off\u0022 data-drupal-selector=\u0022form-nzxmbu1pdmglufc9ev3qw7itjf6ii-n167jlnppcaqu\u0022 type=\u0022hidden\u0022 name=\u0022form_build_id\u0022 value=\u0022form-NZXMbU1PdMgLufC9EV3qW7Itjf6II_n167jLnPPCAqU\u0022 \/\u003E\n\u003Cinput data-drupal-selector=\u0022edit-modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 type=\u0022hidden\u0022 name=\u0022form_id\u0022 value=\u0022modal_form_example_modal_form\u0022 \/\u003E\n\u003C\/form\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E","dialogOptions":{"width":"800","modal":true,"title":"Republish this content"}}]