General project

Autonomous Drone System for Precise Localization of Avalanche Victim

Every year, around 100 people die in avalanche accidents in Europe alone. Together with industry partner ANAVIA from Näfels GL, a system is being developed to localise avalanche victims as quickly as possible. The project idea was selected as the winner of the 5th Innovation Boosters Robotics call alongside five other projects.

The most efficient method of rescuing buried persons from an avalanche is still the help of colleagues. Due to the increasing number of ski tourers and freeriders who are off the marked pistes, it is not always possible to ensure that they are properly trained in the use of avalanche transceivers (LVS). The localisation of multiple burials in particular requires safe handling of the avalanche transceiver.

The Glarus-based company ANAVIA develops and builds autonomous high-tech helicopter systems such as the HT-100 carrier system, which can be used for a wide variety of applications. As part of this Innovation Booster, the ICE, in collaboration with the ESA and ANAVIA, is developing a system consisting of a sensor system and an innovative localisation algorithm to locate single and multiple burials as efficiently as possible.

The system can be incorporated into the rescue organisation's operational planning using the procedure described in Figure 1 by positioning the drone system at neuralgic locations in the Alps. Due to the high flight speed of up to 120 km/h, it is possible to arrive quickly at the scene, which is crucial for the successful rescue of people.

Project link: Autonomous Drone System for Precise Localization of Avalanche Victim - Innovation Booster – Robotics (ntnrobotics.com)