Intelligent Search and Rescue Robotics: Design, Control, and Deployment Strategies

Search and rescue operations in post-disaster environments require rapid assessment and efficient identification of survivors while minimizing risks to human responders. Hybrid robotic systems that integrate Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) have emerged as a highly effective solution due to their complementary capabilities. UAVs provide fast aerial mapping and wide-area situational awareness, while UGVs enable close-range inspection and interaction within debris-filled or confined spaces. This paper presents an overview of cooperative UAV–UGV systems designed to support rescue missions in earthquake-affected urban environments. The system architecture, communication framework, and navigation strategies are examined, with an emphasis on the role of multi-sensor fusion, SLAM-based localization, and coordinated decision-making. A comparative analysis of UAV and UGV functionalities demonstrates the operational advantages of hybrid deployment over single-platform approaches. However, the study also highlights existing challenges, including communication instability, limited endurance, localization errors in GPS-denied environments, and complexity in human–robot interaction. The findings indicate that improving autonomy, increasing energy efficiency, and enhancing multi-robot coordination will be essential for broader real-world adoption. The presented review underscores the potential of hybrid UAV–UGV systems as an integral component of modern disaster response strategies and provides direction for future research and system development.

کلیدواژه ها:

Hybrid Robotic Systems ، Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) ، Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) ، Search and Rescue Operations ، Multi-Robot Coordination ، Human–Robot Interaction