Robotic vine aids rescuers in disaster zones

The team from MIT Lincoln Laboratory, in collaboration with the University of Notre Dame, developed the SPROUT robot. It resembles a vine and can navigate through rubble. Chad Council, a member of the SPROUT team, explained that urban search and rescue operations are often harsh and relentless, posing a challenge even for the most advanced technology. This robot is intended to assist rescuers in difficult post-construction disaster conditions.

SPROUT, or Soft Pathfinding Robotic Observation Unit, is a robotic unit capable of maneuvering in tight spaces. With the ability to inflate and deflate, the robot can slip under collapsed structures. Council explained that the basic functioning of the vine-like robot addresses many issues that other platforms struggle with. The robot is controlled remotely, allowing for exploration, mapping of the area, and identifying optimal access routes through debris.

Currently, SPROUT is operated using joysticks and a screen that displays the robot's camera feed. It can extend to a length of up to 10 feet, and the team is working on increasing this distance to 25 feet. Nathaniel Hanson, the research group leader, noted that although collapse events are rare, they have a devastating impact. In the future, this technology could be used not only in rescue operations but also in maintaining military systems or critical infrastructure.

MIT Lincoln Laboratory conducted SPROUT tests with rescuers at the Massachusetts Task Force 1 training site in Beverly, Massachusetts. These tests allowed scientists to improve the robot's durability and mobility and learn how to control it more effectively. The team plans a larger field study this spring. Hanson emphasized that this program has advanced the technology readiness level of the vine-like robots, enabling rescuers to participate in a practical demonstration of the system.