Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering B9 (2020) 215-221

doi:10.17265/2162-5263/2020.05.007
D DAVID PUBLISHING

Robotics for Disaster Warning and Response in the UAE

Abdulla Al Hmoudi
Department of Security and Safety, Search and Rescue Team, Abu Dhabi Police, Abu Dhabi 253, UAE

Abstract: Over the past decade, robot systems have become more commonplace and increasingly autonomous. In recent years, first
responders have started to use novel technologies at the scene of disasters in order to save more lives. Technologies are also used for
early warning, surveillance and to enhance disaster response capabilities. Increasingly, technologies like robots are used for warning
people, monitoring compliance, SAR (Search and Rescue), damage assessment, to search disaster sites. In the case of emergency
situations, emergency guidance robots are sent inside of buildings or deployed to search for victims, guide evacuees to safety and
other unsafe response tasks. This paper explores the application of robotics for disaster warning and response, benefits and factors
influencing deployment of robots, in order to justify the effective usage of robotics for disaster management in the UAE (United
Arab Emirates). A pilot study is conducted to achieve this aim, with 24 participants selected through random sampling from three
emergency organizations in the country. To increase knowledge and usage of robotics for future disaster warning and response in
UAE, it is needful to continue to highlight the role of robotics deployment in helping to minimize risks and disaster impacts on first
responders and the public.

Key words: Robotics, early warning, disaster response, SAR, UAE.

1. Introduction ensure safety of all responders involved. Though the

use of robotics during disaster response in Fukushima
The severity of a disaster sometimes makes it too
has highlighted the promising future of robotics in
dangerous or logistically complex to send in human
SAR (Search and Rescue) [4], it also highlighted the
first responders. In these situations, rescue robots can
shortcomings of robots. Such shortcomings are either
help first responders rescue survivors and accomplish
due to escalating situations, evolving risk or complex
dangerous or complex tasks at a safe distance from
disaster environment [5], all of which have motivated
hazardous situations [1]. The use of automation and
improvement of robotic technologies, and its extended
robotics to minimize the risk of disasters is now an
application for disaster prevention where possible,
area of interest to both researchers and practitioners as
early warning, rescue and or recovery efforts. As
disasters continue to occur with increased frequency
noticed in recent times, robots are either replacing
with high human, structural and economic losses
humans or working with humans in high risk
around the world [2]. In several disaster cases, high
interventions while ensuring operational efficiency,
risk of exposure to hazard usually influence the use of
safety and security of humans [6]. However, some
robotics as done during the 2011 disaster at the
responders are not always aware of these highly
Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Complex
effective technological tools or at times have limited
disasters as that of Fukushima, and natural disasters
knowledge of how best to maximize their use for their
such as earthquakes, tsunami, volcanic eruption to
agency and for public safety.
mention a few, all require logistics of getting people,
A robot is a machine designed to execute one or
equipment to affected population [3]. Disaster
more tasks repeatedly, with speed and precision [6].
response also requires safe and effective operations to
Due to the characteristics of robots, immediate
 disaster response scenarios are a particularly relevant
Corresponding author: Abdulla Al Hmoudi, Ph.D.,
research field: disaster management. target for applying such technologies [7]. Robots have
216 Robotics for Disaster Warning and Response in the UAE

been used to identify extent of damage and impacts, during a disaster. The lead time to the onset of any
identify signs of life within debris and assess the disaster can prove significant, making the difference
safety of buildings before sending people in [2]. There between life and death. Warning being the process for
have been resourceful applications of robots in more generating maximally accurate information about
highly volatile situations such as to scan areas for possible future harm and for ensuring information
explosive devices, disarming armed suspect or enemy reaches people that may be at risk [10] is vital to
combatant [8]. Robots have also been deployed into effective response. The elements of early warning
nuclear reactors to assess damages or to gather facilitate functionality and effectiveness of warning
location information and status of survivors, stability and response [11]. Ability to effectively communicate
of the structures and rescue victims following the potential harm of a disaster ahead of its landfall,
disasters [2]. In the last few decades, rescue robots and the use of appropriate tools may be critical to
that can fly, swim, crawl through rubble, douse fires preventing or minimizing the loss of life.
or tackle other rescue challenges have advanced This makes early warning as well as the first 72 h
tremendously [9]. The uses and application of robotics after the disaster the most critical period for SAR
are exhaustive, and factors that influence their operations [12]. The critical elements of early warning
deployment are further examined in this paper. such as risk knowledge and monitoring can be
This paper examines disaster robotics and their undertaken with the use of robotics especially in high
applications to manage different disaster situations risk disaster like pandemic. However, current and past
around the world. The role of robots in conducting events that show the vast spread and impact of
early warning and monitoring as well as in SAR disasters expose that robotics are underutilized for
provides new avenues for effective utilization of warning. Warning dissemination and communication
automation and robotics through the mapping of best as well as response capability are important for the
practices. The paper introduces brief descriptions of major steps in response [13] especially SAR.
selected rescue robotics projects associated with The major steps in SAR are to establish the search
ground, air and sea rescue operations. Applications of area, establishing a command point in the search area,
automation and robotics during disaster to navigate dividing first responders into scouts and rescuers and
risky and difficult rescue missions are analyzed based ensuring that scout teams report their findings to the
on existing papers and documents. An in-depth review command post and rescuers gather the information
of the 2011 disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear from the command post in order to know where to act
Power Plant and COVID-19 pandemic is done to [14]. According to Murphy, rescue robots can be
establish the role of robotics in disaster warning and classified into four major types: UGVs (Unmanned
response. This premise is further tested in the UAE Ground Vehicles); USVs (Unmanned Surface Vehicles)
(United Arab Emirate) to ascertain the appetite for the which float on water; UUVs (Unmanned Underwater
use of robots for disaster warning and response. Vehicles) and UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles)
Factors that influence the application and deployment [15]. Some of the notable applications of robotics in
of robots for warning and response are also investigated. warning and SAR operations are further examined in
this study.
2. Warning and Response Robotics
3. Application of Robotics for Warning and
The most important concern in disaster
SAR
management is how to warn the public ahead of a
disruptive event, and how to preserve human lives The application of robotics for warning is becoming
 Robotics for Disaster Warning and Response in the UAE 217

more prominent around the world. They are often used Agency and the National Research Institute for Earth
to improve response capability, drones and UAVs Science and Disaster Resilience to guide the disaster
have been used for navigation, to record and send response. An Active Scope Camera, a serpentine robot
details to remote crews [16]. Such warning prototype was also used to investigate narrow gaps in
information can be accessed and communicated to debris at the Fukushima-Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant
SAR crew and the public as deem fit. In warning from December 2016 to February 2017. The robot
context, information by manned and unmanned effectively captured images of roof structures, a fuel
equipment can provide thermal imaging to help spot handling machine, and other damaged equipment
risk, temperature level in people and identify survivors which led to their decommissioning. The robots
[6]. Beyond their use in surveillance, UAVs have also provided data and information which were previously
been used to provide lifesaving supplies across some unknown [7].
of the most remote regions of the world. Zipline is one A rescue robot is a robot that has been designed for
of the most well-known, operating primarily in the purpose of rescuing people or facilitating rescue
Rwanda and Tanzania. The Zipline company though missions which can be in several modes, shapes or
based in California, USA hires local operators and formats. For instance, robotic water rescue system,
provides over 11 million people with instant access to which is a four-foot, 25-pound remote-controlled
medical supplies. Since 2014, Zipline has completed robot, used as a hybrid flotation buoy-lifeboat called
almost 13,000 life-saving drone deliveries including the EMILY (Emergency Integrated Lifesaving
vaccines, HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) Lanyard) was co-developed by the U.S. Office of
medications and blood supplies faster than Naval Research, and Hydronalix an Arizona based
ground-based supply transport [13]. company [17]. In 2016, during the European migrant
One of the main advantages of robots is that they crisis, the robot was used to rescue hundreds of
can increase the situational awareness of SAR teams asylum seekers off the coast of Greece. Reports
by providing better insights of disaster scenes. Robots indicate that EMILY aided more than 240 refugees in
are capable of using views which humans find nearly its first 10 days of deployment alone. EMILY can
impossible, impractical or very unsafe [9]. One cruise at speeds of up to 22 mph (Mile Per Hour) and
example is the Japanese ImPACT project. The carry up to five people. It also has a Kevlar-reinforced
ImPACT Tough Robotics Challenge, a national hull that helps it withstand massive waves and other
project of Japan Cabinet Office developed robots for types of impact [15].
disaster response, recovery and preparedness between The benefit of robotics usage in disaster warming
2014-2018 [7]. Robots developed include UAVs, and response continues to evolve. Over the years, the
construction robots, serpentine robots, legged robots, application of robots is seen to help minimize risks to
cyber rescue canine, and several component SAR team as seen in mine rescue robots. Few
technologies. During the 2017 Northern Kyushu successful mine rescues with robots are available in
Heavy Rain caused 36 fatalities and damaged 750 literature. One example is the coal mine rescue robot
houses, the ImPACT-TRC used a unit of UAVs to used after the gas explosion accident at the Parker
gather images of the damaged area. Along a valley 3 River Mine in New Zealand on November 19, 2010
km long at 60 km/h without visibility, the robot [16]. Three robots were deployed following the
successfully captured high-resolution ground images accident, but they were all destroyed following a
of 1 cm/pixel. Images and captured data were second explosion. A few months after, the Western
provided to the Fire and Disaster Management Australia Water Service Company succeeded in
218 Robotics for Disaster Warning and Response in the UAE

getting video data of the mine’s roadway, to help the Commission confirmed that is still a large gap
police to determine whether the mine can enter the between laboratory conditions in which robots are
recovery stage [17]. developed and the use of such technology in SAR
Rescue missions such as this, emphasize the operations and crisis management [6]. Rescue robots
importance and role of robotics for disaster warning used in the search for victims and survivors after the
and response. The case of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear September 11 attacks in New York also had trouble
Disaster is another example of application of robotics working in the rubble and were constantly getting
for disaster management. The nuclear accident at the stuck or broken [19]. These challenges allure to
Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Ōkuma, limited understanding of robotics and low risk
Fukushima Prefecture of Japan is the most serious knowledge of robotics application, lack of planning
nuclear accident since the 1986 Chernobyl disaster and clarity of roles of SAR team in the use of robots.
and the only other disaster to be given the Level 7 This influenced the pilot investigation undertaking in
event classification of the International Nuclear Event the UAE to determine knowledge level and factors
Scale [18]. The accident was triggered by the influencing application of robotics for disaster
earthquake and tsunami that happened on Friday, 11 warning and response.
March 2011 that damaged or destroyed more than one
4. Methods
million buildings and led to the evacuation of 470,000
people. Mexico Primary data were collected through
The earthquake and tsunami led to three nuclear quantitative methods in the UAE. The questionnaire
meltdowns in the Fukushima nuclear power plant was designed to examine knowledge level and factors
which resulted in airborne radioactive contamination influencing application of robotics for disaster
from the damaged reactors and large amounts of water warning and response in the UAE. A random
contaminated with radioactive isotopes being released sampling technique is used to select participants [20]
into the Pacific Ocean [18]. In order to reduce from ADP (Abu Dhabi Police), Emirates Fire and
radiation exposure, robots were deployed for Rescue Company and NCEMA (National Emergency,
emergency response and decommissioning of the Crisis and Disaster Management Authority). A total of
plants. Applications of robotics such as this make the 24 person participated in this pilot. Data gathered to
use of robotics for disaster warning and response an determine knowledge level and factors were analyzed
integral part of, and inevitable for effective disaster using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social
management. Sciences) software version 16.
Successful applications of robotics for warming and
5. Findings and Discussion
response highlight the potential and promising use of
robotics in the field of disaster management. Rescue Findings from the pilot study revealed that
robots can reduce personnel requirements, reduce knowledge level and influencing factors vary.
fatigue, and increase access to otherwise unreachable Twenty-five percent (25%) of the respondents are
areas thereby expediting rescue efforts. However, like aware of the use of robotics for different aspects of
any technology, there are challenges, robots can response. Ten percent (10%) indicated that knowledge
self-overwhelm with too much data and they are not of robotics application for disaster warning and
always able to adapt to situations different from the response is limited. Another 10% confirmed that legal
test environment in which they were developed [19]. framework, standards and policy are unclear on
After the earthquakes in Haiti and Japan, the European application and scope of robot usage in warming stage.
 Robotics for Disaster Warning and Response in the UAE 219

In terms of factors influencing robot application, 25% one of its own robots to examine the fuel of the
attributed this to resource adequacy, while 30% reactor. The process was broadcast through the
revealed that clarity of roles and responsibilities limit built-in camera. The robot was also able to retrieve
their use of robots for disaster warning and response. small chunks of radioactive fuel at five of the six test
It was further revealed that while regular monitoring is sites, offering tremendous promise for long-term plans
done during disasters, robots are scarcely used. Rather to clean up the still-deadly interior [21]. A simulation
than use robots, established hazard warning systems conducted on safe deployment of robots found that
which are used to communicate with different partner efficient and safe deployment of disaster response
agencies and the public are used. Twenty-four percent robots is possible in phenomenon such as rain, fire
(24%) identified training and exercise, 40% identified and smoke [22].
risk assessment and risk of integrating robotic plan Undertaking this process shows that exercise
with other agencies as other factors that limit the use, through simulation can reduce the required cost and
and application of robotics to disaster warning and time for each of the stages and the complete process of
response. robotic deployment (see Table 1). This deployment of
The findings indicate that there is limited robot proved critical to response operations with the
understanding, and use of robots for warning and firefighting robots in France. Colossus, a fire fighting
response in UAE. The findings also allured to limited robot, was developed by Shark Robotics of La
knowledge of the benefits of robots to the SAR team, Rochelle, France and used in the response to the fire
emergency organizations such as the ones sampled in that devastated France’s Notre-Dame Cathedral earlier
the UAE, as well as to the public. Application of in 2019 [23]. The 1,100-pound fireproof robot can
robots is not only beneficial to the SAR team but also blast 660 gallons of water per minute, haul firefighting
community at risk. The robots, which were developed equipment, transport wounded victims and trigger a
by the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute (now 360-degree, high-definition thermal camera to assess a
called Japan Atomic Energy Agency: JAEA), were scene [23]. It was summoned by Paris Fire Brigade
installed or stored in containers for easy transportation commander Jean-Claude Gallet when conditions
to the accident site. Some of the robots were equipped proved too dangerous for the firefighters. Similarly,
with laser range finder to increase operability. the Indago drone, was also used in Australia to help
However, the wide extent of the rubble in the battle fires [24]. Such evidences of successful
reactor buildings limited the robots. JAEA needed to deployment of robots are associated with an in-depth
repeatedly modify the robots to increase portability, understanding that robot design needs to adhere to a
and this eventually led to the development of the process that is tested and a workplan that is well
“utilization policy for emergency response robot communicated to all responders [22]. As a result, there
system” [21]. It was only in 2017 that the TEPCO is clarity of roles and responsibilities, helping to
(Tokyo’s Electric Power Company) successfully used address one of the factors identified by the study

Table 1 Stages of development and deployment of disaster response robots [22].

Stages Development/deployment Actions
One Robot design Reduce protyping cost and time
Two Controller development Simulate robot development
Operation training Prevent robot from damage by novice operators
Three
Workplan validation Define characteristics of mission, environment to reduce failure
Four Deployment
220 Robotics for Disaster Warning and Response in the UAE

participants as limiting factor to application of Management in Land Slides.” International Journal of

Scientific and Research Publications 3 (3): 1-4.
robotics for warning and response in the UAE. The
[3] Blanchot, M. 2015. The Writing of the Disaster. Lincoln:
finding is a motivation for promoting the role of University of Nebraska Press.
robotics deployment in helping to minimize risks and [4] Glantz, M. H. 2007. Heads Up! Early Warning Systems
disaster impacts on people, infrastructure and systems. for Climate. Water and Weather. Tokyo: United Nations
University Press.
6. Conclusions and Way Forward [5] Jangid, N., and Sharma, B. 2016. “Cloud Computing and
Robotics for Disaster Management.” In 2016 7th
As more successes in the use of rescue robots International Conference on Intelligent Systems,
emerge technical challenges are also still present. Modelling and Simulation (ISMS), pp. 20-4.
[6] Delmerico, J., Mintchev, S., Giusti, A., Gromov, B.,
Regardless, this paper has revealed benefits of robotic
Melo, K., Horvat, T., Cadena, C., Hutter, M., Ijspeert, A.,
for disaster warning and response and the factors that Floreano, D., and Gambardella, L. M. 2019. “The Current
influence limited application of robots in countries State and Future Outlook of Rescue Robotics.” Journal of
like the UAE. With problems associated with Field Robotics 36 (7): 1171-91.
[7] Tadokoro, S., Kimura, T., Okugawa, M., Oogane, K.,
information processing of the robot, challenges with Igarashi, H., Ohtsubo, Y., Sato, N., Shimizu, M., Suzuki,
the mobility of the robot and the manipulation of the S., Takahashi, T., and Nakaoka, S. I. 2019. “The World
robot, the use of robots continued to be an evolving Robot Summit Disaster Robotics
Category—Achievements of the 2018 Preliminary
component of disaster management. Factors such as
Competition.” Advanced Robotics 33 (17): 854-75.
limited knowledge, resource adequacy, standards and [8] Erian, E., Katlan, B., and Babah, O. 2010. Global
legal framework clarity of roles and responsibilities Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction. Geneva:
also need to be addressed in the UAE in order for the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster
Reduction.
country to benefit from the application of robotics. As
[9] Cubber, G. D., Doroftei, D., Rudin, K., Berns, K., Matos,
way forward, it is recommended that further study is A., Serrano, D., Sanchez, J., Govindaraj, S., Bedkowski,
conducted to determine the various types of robots J., Roda, R., and Silva, E. 2017. “Introduction to the Use
used in the UAE, their application, effectiveness and of Robotic Tools for Search and Rescue.” In Search and
Rescue Robotics. London, UK: IntechOpen.
challenges associated with each robotic deployment.
[10] Wiltshire, A. 2006. “Developing Early Warning Systems:
UAE emergency organizations would benefit from A Checklist.” In Proc. 3rd Int. Conf. Early Warning
reviewing the standards of development and (EWC) pp. 19-27.
deployment of robots in order to ensure they are cost [11] OCHA. 2015. The INSARAG Guidelines, Volume III:
Field Operational Guide. United Nations Office for the
effective, and effective in minimizing risks to lives, as
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
well as successful deployment. The use of robots has [12] Murphy, R. R. 2001. “Rescue Robots at the World Trade
the potential to improve disaster management Center from Sept. 11-21, 2001.” IEEE Robotics Automat.
significantly however it should be recognized that Mag. 13: 11-21.
[13] Henderson, I. L., Reweti, S. L., and Kamira, R. 2019.
real-world use of robots and being able to utilize them
“Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to Deliver Medical
in all situations still require some work. and Emergency Supplies to Remote Areas.” In
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Civilian Logistics and
References Supply Chain Management, pp. 137-68).
[1] Habib, M. K., Baudoin, Y., and Nagata, F. 2011. [14] Hydronalix. 2016. EMILY: Advanced Small Surface
“Robotics for Rescue and Risky Intervention.” In IECON Robotic Systems. Green Valley, AZ: Hydronalix.
2011-37th Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial https://www.hydronalix.com/emily.
Electronics Society, pp. 3305-10. [15] Gossett, S. 2019. “12 Examples of Rescue Robots You
[2] Mishra, M. K., Jananidurga, P., Siva, S., Aarthi, U., and Should Know.” https://builtin.com/robotics/rescue-robots.
Komal, S. 2013. “Application of Robotics in Disaster [16] Hartevelt, J. 2010. “Pike River Disaster Inquiry
 Robotics for Disaster Warning and Response in the UAE 221

Announced.” Nov. 29, 2010. “Unitization for Portability of Emergency Response

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/pike-river-mine-disaster/4 Surveillance Robot system: Experiences and Lessons
399947/Pike-River-disaster-inquiry-announced. Learned from the Deployment of the JAEA-3 Emergency
[17] Wang, Y., Tian, P., Zhou, Y., and Chen, Q. 2018. “The Response Robot at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power
Encountered Problems and Solutions in the Development Plants.” Robomech Journal 4 (1): 1-7.
of Coal Mine Rescue Robot.” Journal of Robotics. [22] Kanehiro, F., Nakaoka, S. I., Sugihara, T., Wakisaka, N.,
[18] Lipscy, P. Y., Kushida, K. E., and Incerti, T. 2013. “The Ishigami, G., Ozaki, S., and Tadokoro, S. 2019.
Fukushima Disaster and Japan’s Nuclear Plant “Simulator for Disaster Response Robotics.” In Disaster
Vulnerability in Comparative Perspective.” Robotics. Cham: Springer.
Environmental Science & Technology 47 (12): 6082-8. [23] Shark Robotics. 2018. “COLOSSUS.”
[19] Diamandis, P. H. 2019. “AI and Robotics Are https://www.shark-robotics.com/robots.
Transforming Disaster Relief.” SingularityHub. Accessed [24] Collins, R., Gaus, J., Jahn, K., Jurrens, M., Katragadda, S.,
on February 13, 2020. Krejcik, K., Li, X., Liu, E., McNulty, C., Mondal, B., and
https://singularityhub.com/2019/04/12/ai-and-robotics-are Weston-Dawkes, M. 2018. “Stereoscopic Vision in
-transforming-disaster-relief/. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Search and Rescue.” PhD,
[20] Gill, J., and Johnson, P. 2002. Research Methods for thesis, University of Maryland.
Managers. Sozende Oaks, CA: Sage. https://drum.lib.umd.edu/bitstream/handle/1903/20666/A
[21] Kawatsuma, S., Mimura, R., and Asama, H. 2017. RM%20IT%20Final%20Thesis.pdf?sequence=1.