Getting ready for the SMURF test in Brignoles

Getting ready for the SMURF test in Brignoles

First partners have arrived and are setting everything up for our field test in Brignoles, France. Here, the mobility, durability and usability of SMURF as well as the SMURF Workstation and communication system will be tested in a realistic setting. Also further developments of SNIFFER, the “artificial nose” of SMURF, will be explored. Additionally, first Responders get the chance to test this technology and we are really looking forward to their feedback.

CURSOR researchers receive the Excellent Research and Technology Award 2021 from the Robotic Society of Japan

CURSOR researchers receive the Excellent Research and Technology Award 2021 from the Robotic Society of Japan

We are happy to announce that CURSOR researchers received the Excellent Research Technology Award of the Robotics Society of Japan. Prof. Satoshi Tadokoro, Mr. Yu Ozawa and Prof. Masahiro Watanabe from Tohoku University (Sendai, Japan) will be awarded for their innovative robots which can climb over and under obstacles to find victims in disaster zones. This remarkable accomplishment will be announced at the Annual Conference of the Robotics Society of Japan on 8 September 2021. Learn more about their technical developments and this award when reading our press release. (German version to be found here)

Small Scale Field Test 1.4 in Freising, Germany – proof of concept for the CURSOR drone fleet

Small Scale Field Test 1.4 in Freising, Germany – proof of concept for the CURSOR drone fleet

The next CURSOR Small Scale Field Test is upcoming on June 28- 30 in Freising, Germany. We can’t wait to see proof of concept of all CURSOR Drone Fleet components and sensors in a realistic operational environment, to gain information about the time needed to set up the Drone Fleet and bring it to operation by first responders. Also, testing the functionality and user interface of the GPR in a realistic operational environment and  evaluating the hands on practice of first responders in terms of tactics and usability will be a focus of the upcoming test.

Lab Test°6 showing SMURF for the first time to technical partners and First Responders

Lab Test°6 showing SMURF for the first time to technical partners and First Responders

On April 29 2021, the first autonomous movements and remote-control capability of the Soft Miniaturised Underground Robotic Finders (SMURFs) were demonstrated for the first time to all CURSOR technical partners and internal and external First Responders (FRs). Held at the SINTEF premises in Trondheim on 29 April 2021, the demonstration was the most recent exchange and discussion among the Lab Test participants. Finally, the local FRs were able to interact with the SMURF prototypes and use the preliminary User Interface (SMURF Workstation).

Important feedback was given by FRs and technical partners. SINTEF, together with WP3 partners, will evaluate the feedback and adjust the design to improve the SMURFs’ performance. The first field test (SSFT1.2) is planned for September 2021 in France.

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