In view of the limits of their drones in risk environments, AUDE fire brigades started a technical challenge for future ICAM -Toulouse engineers: to design a terrestrial robot that can intervene where people cannot go. Result: Four innovative prototypes, fruits of a partnership between engineering school and emergency services.
If the pupil’s ingenuity corresponds to the needs of the field … the beautiful story between the firefighters of the Sdis of Aude, and the Icam students of the Toulouse -icam, a technical adventure that is initiated for a decisive problem: intervention in a dangerous environment without putting the firefighters in danger.
A real need
About ten years ago, SDIS 11 used his robot robot equipment section (ERT). Warm cameras, recognition, the drones of the section are of great help for the Audois firefighters in their operations. However, a major restriction remains: While chemical or radiological interventions, these drones are not functional because their flight can brew the air and worsen the situation.
“In these cases, it is essential to find a terrestrial alternative that can develop in enemy environments without exhibiting our teams.”Stéphane Bousquet, technical speaker of the department section of the ERT section, explains. Until then, the available solutions were delivered under the D system: “We have therefore implemented a strategy to create something that did not exist. “ Add the Ert speaker.
At this point, Stéphane Bousquet Thibault Pradel, a volunteer firefighter in an Audoise barracks and … teacher in mechanical engineering in Icam in Toulouse. Every year, the second -year -old students have to carry out a collective project. The opportunity is too good and the idea of a partnership between the SDIs and the school thrill quickly. “We gave you a real challenge”Smiles Stéphane Bousquet.
Specifications are being developed with the school and SDIS civil servants’ teaching teams. Goal: Designing a terrestrial robot that can meet the operational requirements while registering in the training goals of future engineers.
For this project, to which the school granted a budget of 12,000 euros, the students divided into four groups had to design a prototype robot that included demanding technical restrictions. Among these: the ability to assemble stairs alone, the presence of different sensors for analyzing their surroundings and for the transfer of these analyzes to the pilots to return information in real time, a maximum of 18 kg easily transportable and a fairly compact format to sneak into limited rooms.
“It was also necessary to integrate an articulated arm that was able to manipulate objects that may be contaminated to bring them to safety.”Note Stéphane Bousquet. The development of a secure web interface was added on this list to access the robot environment in real time.
A school year of work
ICAM students worked on this project throughout the entire school year until Tuesday, May 27, where they presented a jury that consisted of firefighters, school teachers and industrial engineers such as Safran or Airbus, which presented four prototypes. “We hadn’t really imagined the challenge that it represented. They worked a lot. The advantage of this project for them is that it was not only theoretical, there was a real meaning, with a concrete benefit for the services of the SDIS.”Congratulations Stéphane Bousquet.
Today robots are not quite over. “But the students wanted to extend the project and will therefore continue in the third year to complete them”Add the firefighter. With the hope of using them in real situations by the end of the year.