Soft Vine-Like Robot Helps Rescuers Find Survivors In Disaster Zones

New submitter MicroBitz shares a report: SPROUT, short for Soft Pathfinding Robotic Observation Unit, is a flexible, vine-like robot developed by MIT Lincoln Laboratory in collaboration with the University of Notre Dame. Unlike rigid robots or static cameras, SPROUT can 'grow' into tight, winding spaces that are otherwise inaccessible, giving first responders a new way to explore, map and assess collapsed structures. Beyond disaster response, the technology could be adapted for inspecting military systems or critical infrastructure in hard-to-reach places, making SPROUT a versatile tool for a variety of high-stakes scenarios. 'The urban search-and-rescue environment can be brutal and unforgiving, where even the most hardened technology struggles to operate. The fundamental way a vine robot works mitigates a lot of the challenges that other platforms face,' says Chad Council, a member of the SPROUT team, which is led by Nathaniel Hanson.

'The mechanical performance of the robots has an immediate effect, but the real goal is to rethink the way sensors are used to enhance situational awareness for rescue teams,' adds Hanson. 'Ultimately, we want SPROUT to provide a complete operating picture to teams before anyone enters a rubble pile.'

You can see the SPROUT vine robot in action in a YouTube video from MIT Lincoln Laboratory.

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