Semicircular duplex manipulator to search narrow spaces for victims

Abstract

Recently, applications of robots for rescue operations have attracted considerable attention. However, at real disaster sites some spaces among rubble are so narrow that conventional rescue robots cannot pass through them. Hence, development of a robotized endoscope that has the advantages of both robots and industrial endoscopes is expected. In this study we improved our previous manipulator to search for survivors and we developed a new duplex manipulator that can proceed in any desired direction through rubble. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed manipulator, experiments were conducted and effective movement was realized.