Navigational and Mission Usability in Rescue Robots

Abstract

Rescue robots have a high potential for helping with disasters, but their usability (how easy or how well the systems supports the human accomplishing their goals) may prevent their effectiveness or slow their adoption. This article reviews usability barriers in nine ground robots at five incidents in the United States. Two types of usability are identified: navigational and mission. Navigational usability is hampered by ineffective locomotion and lack of sensing for control, leading to one deployment failure and six cases where the robot couldn't go as far as desired. Mission usability is inhibited by mediation effects, flawed sensor systems, and poorly designed displays. This has resulted in the robot rolling past unnoticed remains in one incident and looking in the right area but being unable to see a victim at another incident. The article discusses potential solutions including additional proprioceptive and exproprioceptive sensors, increased autonomy, and multi-modal displays.