Emergency communication in challenged environments via unmanned ground and aerial vehicles

Due to the increase in natural disasters in the past years, Disaster Response Organizations (DROs) are faced with the challenge of coping with more and larger operations. Currently appointed Information and Communications Technology (ICT) used for coordination and communication is sometimes outdated and does not scale, while novel technologies have the potential to greatly improve disaster response efficiency. To allow adoption of these novel technologies, ICT system designers have to take into account the particular needs of DROs and characteristics of International Disaster Response (IDR). This work attempts to bring the humanitarian and ICT communities closer together. In this work, we analyze IDR-related documents and conduct expert interviews. Using open coding, we extract empirical insights and translate the peculiarities of DRO coordination and operation into tangible ICT design requirements. This information is based on interviews with active IDR staff as well as DRO guidelines and reports. Ultimately, the goal of this paper is to serve as a reference for future ICT research endeavors to support and increase the efficiency of IDR operations.2 communication systems. To this end, we were in contact with 126 IDR experts and active staff (including 15 interviews) from 71 different national and international DROs who also provided pointers to official guidelines, reports, and other resources.This article is structured as follows: In the next section, we outline the body of related work. We present our methodology in Section 3. In Section 4, we present our empirical insights for ICT design. In particular, we introduce important terminology in Section 4.1. We then explain the organizational structure of DROs at the example of the United Nations (UN) in Section 4.2. We detail how different DROs coordinate on a global level in Section 4.3, and how a typical local IDR operation is coordinated and carried out in Section 4.4. Finally, we conclude in Section 5. Related workThe field literature refers to ICT for disaster response as crisis informatics, although the terms disaster, crisis, and emergency are often used interchangeably. Due to the growing number of crisis situations occurring across the world [20,25], the use of crisis communication and management via technology has gained in importance and been increasingly researched [46,47]. There are several challenges and obstacles in sharing and coordinating information during multi-agency disaster response [8].Research efforts have focused on describing the specific characteristics of emergencies and the resulting challenges and requirements for ICT support, for example, derived via case studies and interviews [11,37]. The conference for Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (ISCRAM) was the first scientific venue for ICT-based crisis communication. Founded in 2004 by a group of scientists from various related fields, its aim was to address the issue of ICT support for effective [69] disaster management. One major work presented at the first meetin...

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“…6). However, their range may be extended using drones [6] or-if available-even connect to cellular networks (I. 5).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Empirical insights for designing Information and Communication Technology for International Disaster Response

Stute

Maaß

Schons

et al. 2020

International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction

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“…For example, a flight experiment to search an area of 40 square kilometers was conducted for cooperative search by UAVs [81]. Apart from these, framework [32] was proposed in 10 studies, whereas prototype [16] and case studies were also employed, but only in one study. The simulation method was mostly used in validation studies classified according to Wieringa et al [46] classification in RQ7.…”

Section: Rq8 Research Methods Employed By Primary Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The experimental method was used in a few validation studies, whereas a real field experiment was conducted and considered as an evaluation study [78]. The framework [32] and prototype [16] were also employed in some validation studies. In Table IX, the research method and research classification matrix are provided.…”

Section: Rq8 Research Methods Employed By Primary Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Gazebo has been widely used by researchers in studies as it is one of the most popular and open-source multi-robot simulators. A Gazebo simulator was used along with the ROS to simulate multiple UAVs [16]. The software in loop (SITL) simulator is the simplest simulator used to test new software before using it on a real vehicle in a quick and safe manner.…”

Section: Rq13 Implementation Technologiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Different area coverage problems, including coordination variables, one-to-one coordination [13], and area partitioning strategies [68], can be the subject of future developments in the research of heterogeneous UAV team communication. Flying ad hoc networks (FANETs) [26] and delay tolerant networks (DTNs) [16] are emerging as prominent communication technologies and can be employed in heterogeneous UAV team communication. In the future, DTN-aware control mechanisms can be developed, and various FANET issues may be solved effectively.…”

Section: Area Coverage Issues Emerging Networkmentioning

confidence: 99%

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In the past decade, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have become a major research topic in robotics, despite their existence since 1915. UAVs can perform various activities efficiently and effectively; therefore, involving a group of UAVs in performing a certain task has become a growing research trend. Research involving multiple UAVs has been carried out in various areas such as force protection, warfare in the military, remote sensing, disaster response activities, and surveillance. While performing critical tasks, efficiency and robustness are important considerations that can be achieved by involving heterogeneous UAV teams with effective communication and coordination techniques. Communication among heterogeneous UAVs is an interesting and critical research area that needs to be thoroughly explored. In this research, an evidence-based approach is adopted to explore research carried out on multiple heterogeneous UAVs and their communication patterns while performing various activities. A mapping study research technique is employed to systematically collect, analyze, and assess the evidence available on the topic under discussion. The time period defined for this study was set from 2005 to 2019, and 46 primary studies were considered for thematic analysis. The findings show that research studies fall under the category of validation research by constructing simulations to provide a proof-of-concept implementation of the proposed solutions. The communication patterns among heterogeneous UAVs involve various components of UAV communication, networking, formation, and path planning. The application areas that were largely focused on were search, rescue, monitoring, and surveillance missions. The overall trend showed that interest in multiple heterogeneous UAV usage increases over time with a focus on UAV networks, formations, and path planning while considering communication as an implicit part of all these structures. This research has conducted an in-depth analysis of existing research on heterogeneous UAVs and provides classification and trends of various themes emerging within this research area.

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Morphological Analysis for Design Science Research: The Case of Human-Drone Collaboration in Emergencies

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Aleya

2022

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Emergency communication in challenged environments via unmanned ground and aerial vehicles

Cited by 7 publications

References 35 publications

Empirical insights for designing Information and Communication Technology for International Disaster Response

Empirical insights for designing Information and Communication Technology for International Disaster Response

Communication Among Heterogeneous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs): Classification, Trends, and Analysis

Morphological Analysis for Design Science Research: The Case of Human-Drone Collaboration in Emergencies

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