Smart Rat Backpacks: A Breakthrough in Disaster Rescue Technology
Eindhoven, Monday, 15 July 2024.
Eindhoven University of Technology students have developed innovative backpacks for trained rats, enhancing their ability to locate disaster victims under rubble. This groundbreaking technology improves communication between rats and rescuers, potentially revolutionizing disaster response efforts.
The Role of Rats in Disaster Response
Rats have long been recognized for their extraordinary sense of smell and agility, making them ideal candidates for search and rescue missions. The non-profit organization APOPO, known for training rats to detect landmines and tuberculosis, has now extended their expertise to disaster response. This initiative, known as RescueRats, aims to leverage the unique capabilities of rats to locate survivors trapped under rubble following catastrophes such as earthquakes.
Innovative Technology for Enhanced Communication
One of the primary challenges in using rats for rescue missions is maintaining communication with them in environments where GPS signals are obstructed. To address this issue, students from Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) have developed specialized 3D-printed backpacks equipped with essential electronics. These backpacks, designed by student Sander Verdiesen, include a camera, batteries, and an alarm button that rats can press to alert rescuers when they find a victim.
Overcoming Communication Barriers
Bram van Kasteren, another TU/e student, took on the task of improving the communication system for his master’s thesis. Understanding that traditional GPS does not function underground, van Kasteren developed a robust system using radio triangulation. This method involves multiple receiving antennas that work together to accurately determine the rat’s location beneath the debris. Van Kasteren’s work included building a custom circuit board with an altimeter, antenna, and GPS module to test the design effectively.
Real-World Applications and Future Developments
The RescueRats project is not just theoretical but has real-world applications. For instance, in response to a request from Turkey, APOPO has deployed these trained rats to search for survivors in earthquake-affected areas. The ongoing research and development at TU/e aim to further enhance the backpacks by adding new features such as a walkie-talkie function, which would enable two-way communication between the rat and the rescue team.
Continued Training and Global Impact
APOPO continues to train rats at their center in Tanzania, preparing them for various critical tasks, including disaster victim detection. The organization has a proven track record, having detected over 130,000 landmines and identified tuberculosis in over 25,000 cases across African countries. The success of the RescueRats project could significantly improve global disaster response capabilities, offering a new, efficient method to locate and rescue victims trapped in catastrophic events.