Unmanned Systems for Automatic Avalanche Rescue

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and Systems (UAS) are nowadays becoming more and more popular in several applications. Even though a complete regulation is not yet available all over the world, researches and tests are wide spreading. These technologies can bring many benefits also to the mountain operations especially in emergencies and harsh environmental conditions, such as Search and Rescue (SAR) and avalanche rescue missions.

The flying, multi-rotors based, platform and its embedded avionics is designed to meet environmental requirements such as temperature, altitude and wind, assuring the capability of carrying different payloads (separately or together) aimed to:

• Avalanche Beacon (ARTVA) search with automatic signal recognition and path following for quick buried identification;

• Visual (visible and InfraRed) Search and Rescue for identifying missing persons on snows and woods even during night flights;

• Customizable payload deployment to drop emergency kits or specific explosive cartridge for controlled avalanche detachment.

The UAV is capable of full autonomous flight (including take-off and landing) on a pre-programmed, or easily configurable, custom mission. The embedded autopilot manages the sensors measurements (i.e. beacons or cameras) to update the flying mission. Specific features such as laser altimeter for terrain following have been developed and implemented.

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