Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Sam Stover is a pioneering researcher in the field of robotic-assisted search and rescue, with a particular focus on deploying unmanned systems for disaster response. His major contributions center on the real-world application of robots in mudslides, structural collapses, and hurricane damage assessment. Stover’s work with the Center for Robot-Assisted Search and Rescue (CRASAR) has been instrumental in demonstrating how tethered small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) and unmanned surface vehicles can provide critical forensic inspection and damage surveys in hazardous environments. His most cited paper, "Rescue robots for mudslides" (60 citations), details the first known deployment of robots in a mudslide response at La Conchita, California, while his second most cited work (57 citations) showcases the use of a tethered sUAS for structural inspection at the Berkman Plaza II collapse. Stover’s field-oriented philosophy, as outlined in his work with the Institute for Safety Security Rescue Technology (iSSRT), emphasizes hands-on training and real-world response activities, bridging the gap between laboratory research and operational emergency management. His contributions have laid the groundwork for integrating robotics into standard disaster response protocols.