This project aims to solve the problem of large-scale search and rescue by distributing the search operation across several autonomous drones. These Space-Wandering Autonomous Rescue Machines (SWARM) would allow the search process to take place with no human involvement and would improve the chances that the target is found.
We plan to build our own autonomous drones that can navigate themselves to unexplored areas, search for a target, and use photogrammetry techniques to gain an understanding of the environment to allow rescuers to reach the target as well. We will use a carbon fiber frame, preexisting flight controller, RF transceivers, camera modules, and wireless charging modules to create fast and relatively cheap drones that will communicate with each other to effectively solve the task of finding a target.
Unique to our project is the capability for our swarm to operate and coordinate itself autonomously. Rather than being controlled by a central computer, drones will create a distributed system and communicate with each other, enabling the search to reach farther areas faster than ground rescuers could.