Rescue robot performance at the 2005 La Conchita mudslides
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abstract
The Center for Robot-Assisted Search and Rescue (CRASAR), assisted the Ventura County Fire Rescue Department with the Jan 2005 La Conchita, CA, mudslide response. CRASAR provided 2 commercially available US&R robots, two types of cameras capable of working in total darkness, and experts. The waterproof robots were able to tolerate wet conditions but proved unable to handle the densely packed rubble and soil and failed within two and four minutes on their two deployments. Informal interviews were conducted with responders as well. The experience contributes findings as to: mobility challenges in building collapses, useful platform enhancements, actual deployment scenarios, desirable sensors, and the need for testing and evaluation.
