Victim Detection and Localization in Emergencies

Sensors (Basel). 2022 Nov 2;22(21):8433. doi: 10.3390/s22218433.

Abstract

Detecting and locating victims in emergency scenarios comprise one of the most powerful tools to save lives. Fast actions are crucial for victims because time is running against them. Radio devices are currently omnipresent within the physical proximity of most people and allow locating buried victims in catastrophic scenarios. In this work, we present the benefits of using WiFi Fine Time Measurement (FTM), Ultra-Wide Band (UWB), and fusion technologies to locate victims under rubble. Integrating WiFi FTM and UWB in a drone may cover vast areas in a short time. Moreover, the detection capacity of WiFi and UWB for finding individuals is also compared. These findings are then used to propose a method for detecting and locating victims in disaster scenarios.

Keywords: UWB; WiFi FTM; detection; localization; victims.

MeSH terms

  • Disasters*
  • Emergencies*
  • Humans