Robot to capture images, videos of floods, landslide-hit areas soon

Our Correspondent

Una, July 31
The HP State Disaster Management Agency (HPSDMA) has sanctioned a project worth Rs 8.8 lakh to the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Una for the development of a Collaborative Robot (Cobot) named ‘Vimatsaya’ . Interestingly, the robot will be able to function in two modes, flying and swimming, to capture real time images and videos of flood and landslide affected areas.

What is a cobot?

• A cobot is a robot that can safely operate alongside humans in a shared workspace
• They have been programmed to protect their human coworkers, cobots can quickly learn tasks through demonstration
• Using AI, it will analyse the disaster and provide valuable insights to the rescue teams, which will support the teams in performing post-disaster services through a mobile app
• The robot will be able to function in two modes, flying and swimming

A cobot is a robot that can safely operate alongside humans in a shared workspace. Advances in mobile technology, artificial intelligence, machine vision, and touch technology are making it possible for small, lower-power robots to be aware of their surroundings and perform multiple types of tasks safely in close proximity to human workers. In addition to being programmed to protect their human coworkers, cobots can quickly learn tasks through demonstration.
According to a press release issued by IIIT Director Prof Manish Gaur, Dr Ambigavathi and Dr Naveen Cheggoju, the faculty in the School of Electronics has been designated as the project investigators. Prof Gaur said that using Artificial Intelligence, Vimatsya will analyse the disaster and provide valuable insights to the rescue teams, adding that the information will support the teams in performing post-disaster services through the “Yukti” mobile application.
The director said the project will enhance the ‘get prepared and quickly act’ services in rural and urban areas by training rescue and response teams using extended reality technology, enabling the teams to understand risk levels, minimise human and economic losses during disasters, besides preparing the general public to respond consciously to any future extreme disaster.