Smart Search
A wearable drone designed to help first responders search and clear unfamiliar buildings safer and faster.
Fall 2021
Three Months Junior Year
Conceptual first responder design using future technologies
CHALLENGE
Design a product to help first responders search and clear buildings using advanced technologies that will be viable in the next 10-15 years.
approach
When identifying the problems first responders face when responding to a threat of an intruder in a building I interviewed multiple police officers, firefighters, and EMTs to understand their mindset and experience during an emergency situation. I concluded that the main problems that first responders face when searching and clearing a building are the threat of the unknown and the time it takes injured victims to receive medical attention. With this in mind, I brainstormed and tested numerous possible solutions, resulting in a wearable search drone design. The drone quickly searches buildings while feeding vital information back to the first responders through a corresponding app allowing for an overall safer experience for both first responders and the victims involved.
+23%
of injured victims, deaths could be prevented with faster medical attention
Current Search and Rescue Protocol
Search times can last hours depending on the scenario and the size of the building
EMS are not allowed on the scene until the building has been cleared by the police
“I wish there was a faster and safer way for us to search and clear large buildings.”
Officer Janice,
San Jose Police Department
INNOVATION OPPORTUNITIES
Looking to the future to design smaller
Opportunity to transfer building blueprints to a digital application since they are already public records.
Increasing design trends in wearable design and wearable technology
Rapidly growing drone technology to make drones smaller and more efficient
Advancements in thermo-imaging could can detect people and weapons
SOLUTION
A wearable drone
In the next 10-15 years advancements in technology could be used to develop a drone to help officers search and clear a building from a distance. This would be safer for the officers, and much quicker so victims can receive medical attention as soon as possible.
Testing the concept
I concluded that an armband would be the easiest and fastest place for police officers to access their drone. Keeping the design as sleek as possible allows for officers to maintain full mobility and will prevent the device from getting in the way while preforming other duties.
SmartSearch
Designed to help first responders clear unfamiliar buildings quickly and safely
Allows first responders to provide victims with medical attention as fast as possible
PROCESS
Sync SmartSearch to your smart device using Bluetooth
Connect the drone to any smartphone device through Bluetooth by pressing the center top button
Quick adjustments on the go
The Velcro strap allows officers to easily adjust their armband on the go making the process as efficient as possible.
NAVIGATION
Access to building blueprints and directions
The SmartSearch app allows officers to prepare for the unpredictable by allowing them to view building blueprints in advance to familiarize themselves with the area.
THE BASE
Easy removal and charging on the go
Simply squeeze each side of the armband to release the drone from its locked base.
CAMERA
Reveal camera and set the drone on its designated route
Power on the drone through the app and view live footage from the drone’s point of view. The camera reviles access to thermal imaging and magnetometer technologies.
BLUEPRINTS
The drone scans and clears each room before first responders enter
Once the drone is set on its designated route based on the building blueprints, it zooms from room to room scanning the space for people and weapons that could be a potential threat.
AERODYNAMICS
The internal rotor produces a downward thrust to push off the ground
The drone increases speed until the rotors produce an upward force greater than gravity. The rotors consist of a propeller attached to a motor that is hidden in the body of the drone.
