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UC02.2: Indoor Drone Exploration and Victim Detection (USAR)

Version 15.1 by Rosa Van Tuijn on 2025/07/31 13:10

Indoor Drone Exploration and Victim Detection – USAR

Objective

OB01: Increase effectiveness through exploration, sensing and communication means 

OB04: Improve safety by providing overviews and warnings of environment conditions 

Use an indoor drone to explore buildings before entry, locate victims, and update the C3I map for safer and faster intervention.

TDPTDP1, TDP2, TDP4, TDP5
IDPIDP1
ActorsDrone Operator, Analyst, Team Leader, USAR Rescuers
Pre-ConditionStructure is unsafe for entry; drone is available.
Post-ConditionVictim locations marked; team briefed.
StatusValidated during and refined after CFT 1, CFT 2, CFT 3

Action Sequence

  1. Deployment and Startup
     a. Team leader identifies structure as unsafe and requests drone deployment.
     b. Drone operator sets up and tests the drone, connects it to the C3I system.
     c. Analyst prepares the interface to process and annotate live data.
  2. Initial Entry and Autonomous Navigation
     a. Drone autonomously navigates through the structure using onboard sensors.
     b. Drone detects victims, hazards, and structural features.
     c. Data is transmitted to the analyst in real time.
  3. Live Monitoring and Victim Identification
     a. Analyst verifies detections and flags victims or hazards.
     b. If needed, operator switches to manual control for detailed exploration.
     c. Confirmed findings are tagged on the C3I map.
  4. Data Marking and Coordination
     a. Analyst shares tagged map and video with team leader.
     b. Team leader updates the plan and briefs USAR team.
     c. Drone finishes scan and returns or continues overwatch mode.
Claims (title)FunctionEffect(s)Action Sequence Step(s)
CL1 Video stream improves pre-entry SSA Live video

EFXX: Situation Awareness is improved.
→ Measured with SAGAT method and questionnaire.

(Oude effect van Mark tussen haakjes steeds: Team enters with real-time building and victim data)

4a
CL2 Map improves pre-entry SSA C3I mapping, LIDARSame as above3c, 4a
CL3 Map improves responder safety Drone maps hazard zones and structural integrity

EFXX: First Responder 5. Safety is improved
→ Measured with near incident analysis. 
Note: is this function "victim detection" talking about that function of the human + drone together as one system. Or only of the technology, i.e. the drone?

(Minimizes exposure to unsafe zones)

2b, 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a

CL4 Autonomous victim detection improves team performance and safety

 

Autonomous navigation, Object detection (Thermal imaging?) 

Victims are detected more quickly, accurately and robustly than when the robot is directly controlled by a human.
→ Measured with time until area mapped + victims correctly localized.
Note: Verwachten we hier echt dat dit sneller gaat dan een mens die het remotely operate? Of een mens die naar binnen gaat en het zelf doorzoekt? Autonoom is mogelijk wel robuuster bij e.g. verbinding verlies.

EFXX: Task performance increased.
→ Measured with time until area mapped + victims correctly localized. (vs. e.g. human doing all victim detection on their own using camera stream). 

EFXX: Mental workload of drone operator and FR is low
→ measured with NASA TLX questionnaire.
Note: Wat doen de drone operator en FR nu in de tussentijd? Wachten of meekijken? Is dat beter dan voorheen?

(Speeds up rescue prioritization)

2a, 2b, 3a

CL5 Analyst involvement improves SA and trust calibration

 

Analyst verifies and adds missing detections and victims on camera live video stream

EFXX: Trust (or reliance?) in SA is good
→ Measured with ??. 

Note: meeste measures meten het vertrouwen in de robot, maar hier specifiek geïnteresseerd in het vertrouwen in het eindersultaat? 

3a

CL6 Adaptive autonomy ensures acceptable workload for drone operator and analyst 

Adaptive autonomy 

EFXX: Mental Workload of drone operator acceptable
→ Measured with NASA TLX questionnaire. 

 

3a, 3b

Mogelijke andere claims: 

  1. Analyst verification zorgt voor geen responsibility gap