Drones are increasingly becoming valuable helpers in averting danger.
“Whether for exploring confusing deployment sites, forest fires or searching for missing people – the range of possibilities is becoming ever larger,” emphasized the President of the Expert Network for Protection, Rescue and Security (vfdb), Dirk Aschenbrenner in Dortmund.
rules for unmanned aircraft
The German Rescue Robotics Center (DRZ) is currently working with the vfdb on a comprehensive set of rules for dealing with unmanned aircraft.
Aschenbrenner expressly welcomed the Federal Government's recently adopted action plan, 'Unmanned Aviation Systems and Innovative Aviation Concepts'.
drone guidelines
Germany is one of the pioneering countries internationally, especially when it comes to averting threats
This creates a good framework with clear guidelines so that the wide range of possible applications can be used sensibly. Germany is one of the pioneering countries internationally, especially when it comes to averting threats.
“With the use of drones, we have another chance to establish ourselves as a location for innovation,” emphasized the vfdb President, Dirk Aschenbrenner.
German Rescue Robotics Center
In addition to the vfdb, the Dortmund Fire Department's Institute for Fire and Rescue Technology (IFR) is also one of the 13 project partners that are designing and driving forward the development of the German Rescue Robotics Center.
The project is in the first phase and is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) with around 12 million euros as part of research for civil security and coordinated by the IFR.
use of drones in security
The project involves information that is collected by unmanned aircraft systems flying ahead
In the past, numerous national and international projects involving the development of technologies and systems for the use of drones in security measures have been completed at the IFR.
Aschenbrenner cited the “VISION” project, which was funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) as part of the mFUND (Modernity Fund) research initiative, as a current example of the work. This involves information that is collected by unmanned aircraft systems flying ahead and made available to the emergency services.
automation of flight route planning
“The particular challenge here is the automation of flight route planning and flight execution, including the integration of the drone into airspace surveillance (keyword “collision avoidance”, e.g. with other flight systems),” said the Deputy Head of the IFR, Sylvia Pratzler-Wanczura.
Sylvia Pratzler-Wanczura adds, "The reconnaissance drone flying ahead can transmit, among other things, live images, and relevant location information to the approaching emergency services on the way to the site. At the end of the project, there should be a complete integration of the entire system into fire service processes."
requirements for training
The planned set of rules for the use of drones in security measures is about defining technical standards
According to DRZ Managing Director - Robert Grafe, the planned set of rules for the use of drones in security measures is, among other things, about defining technical standards.
It shows which types of drones should be used for which purpose. A guide for procurers and requirements for training on how to use the technology are also planned.
detection at operational sites
“The possibilities for using drones are far from exhausted,” said Robert Grafe, adding “In addition to exploring operational sites and searching for missing persons, detection at operational sites where there is suspicion of atomic, biological, or chemical (NBC) substances is also possible with appropriate sensors. A bit of a dream of the future, but the transport of certain aids is also quite conceivable.”
remote-controlled drone
In some countries, drones are also being used to disinfect surfaces during the coronavirus crisis
Grafe also mentioned the dropping of lifebuoys by remote-controlled drones as an interesting example, for example in the event of sea emergencies on the coast.
In some countries, drones are also being used to disinfect surfaces during the coronavirus crisis. The DRZ Managing Director does not want to rule out the transport of people in the future.
future-oriented technologies
Above all, however, the issue of 'security' must come first, emphasized Aschenbrenner and Grafe. This will also be taken into account in the federal government's action plan.
“For us, this is particularly true not only when operating near airports, but also at accident sites where rescue helicopters are in action,” says Robert Grafe, adding “There must also be precise rules and, above all, communication.”
Addressing federal and state politicians, Aschenbrenner pointed out that further research is needed to exploit the full potential of these future-oriented technologies. This requires funding programs that trigger and support appropriate procurement.
