University of Maryland engineering students have emerged as the champions of a nationwide competition with their groundbreaking drone designed to assist first responders.
Earlier this year, the students’ drone won a prestigious national competition sponsored by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
In addition to the honor, the students received prize money exceeding $150,000 for their remarkable achievement, surpassing even private sector competitors. The university proudly shared that first responders present at the competition expressed immediate interest in purchasing the drone.
Qingwen Wei, who led the University of Maryland team, explained the uniqueness of their drone, saying, “Much of what we’ve integrated into the drone isn’t available in a single package elsewhere. In some cases, it would require multiple drones, or end-users would need to perform their own modifications, which might not be as reliable as our comprehensive system.”
Costing less than $5,000, this innovative drone has captured the attention of Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Chief Tiffany Green, who emphasized the potential demand for it when it hits the market.
“This is amazing,” Chief Green remarked. “Every day, we put our lives at risk. This technology allows us to send a piece of equipment into a building, keeping our firefighters out of harm’s way. I’m always excited about anything that enhances safety.”
Chief Green also noted that her department had been exploring the use of drones and looked forward to collaborating with the university to deploy this life-saving technology.
The team even received a proclamation from State Representative Glenn Ivey, whose district includes parts of Prince George’s and Montgomery counties.
Ivey expressed his gratitude, stating, “We may never know how many lives you’ll save with your invention, but I guarantee you that you will save lives with what you’ve accomplished today. On behalf of Congress and the people in this region, the United States thanks you. Go Terps!”
The competition challenged teams to develop a device capable of searching for survivors in buildings compromised by earthquakes.
Weighing just three pounds, this indoor drone, roughly the size of one used for outdoor flights, operates without relying on GPS. Equipped with sensors that prevent collisions with obstacles invisible to the operator, it also enables communication with survivors inside a building while keeping first responders safely outside.
The potential applications of this technology are extensive, from firefighting to emergency response in dangerous situations.
Derek Paley, director of the Maryland Robotics Center, emphasized the life-saving purpose of this drone, stating, “This technology is designed to save lives. We believe that, in the near future, these drones will become commonplace, empowering first responders to investigate the interior of hazardous buildings before exposing themselves to danger.”
The drone holds the promise of revolutionizing disaster response during natural calamities such as hurricanes and wildfires.
University of Maryland President Darryll Pines added, “Technological solutions, like drones, have the potential to mitigate risks in situations like house fires or climate-driven wildfires. This innovation exemplifies the use of technology, particularly drones, to aid first responders in locating individuals in buildings, thus preventing unnecessary exposure to harm.”
Image Source: Wtop