Project number
26510
Organization
Craig M Berge Dean's Community Fund
Offering
ENGR498-S2026-F2026
Autonomous Drone-Based Emergency Water Delivery System for Hikers
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1. Problem Statement
In the southern United States, hikers frequently suffer from dehydration and heat-related illness due to high temperatures, limited water sources, and underestimation of trail difficulty. When hikers run out of water, they may call for help using a mobile phone or emergency beacon; however, Search and Rescue (SAR) response times can be several hours, especially in remote or rugged terrain. During this delay, the hiker’s condition can rapidly worsen.
There is currently no rapid-response system to deliver life-sustaining water to stranded hikers before SAR personnel arrive.
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2. Project Objective
Design, build, and demonstrate a remotely deployable, semi-autonomous drone system capable of:
• Launching from a trailhead station
• Locating stranded hikers using visual and infrared (IR) sensing
• Delivering emergency water supplies
• Providing location confirmation to SAR teams
The system is intended to extend survivability, not replace SAR operations.
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3. Concept of Operations (ConOps)
Normal Operation
1. Hiker distress call is received by authorities or park personnel.
2. Approximate hiker location (GPS / last-known position) is provided to the system.
3. A water-delivery drone is remotely deployed from a trailhead station.
4. The drone:
o Navigates to the target area
o Uses visual + IR sensors to detect humans on or near the trail
o Confirms target identity
5. The drone delivers water via:
o Controlled landing, or
o Tethered drop mechanism
6. Drone relays GPS location and imagery to SAR teams.
7. SAR personnel continue ground rescue.
________________________________________
4. System-Level Requirements (Example)
Functional Requirements
• FR-1: The system shall deploy a drone within 5 minutes of activation.
• FR-2: The drone shall carry and deliver ≥1 liter of potable water.
• FR-3: The drone shall operate in ambient temperatures up to 45°C (113°F).
• FR-4: The drone shall identify human presence using visual and IR imaging.
• FR-5: The drone shall transmit GPS coordinates and imagery to the operator.
• FR-6: The system shall operate without modifying existing SAR procedures.
________________________________________
1. Problem Statement
In the southern United States, hikers frequently suffer from dehydration and heat-related illness due to high temperatures, limited water sources, and underestimation of trail difficulty. When hikers run out of water, they may call for help using a mobile phone or emergency beacon; however, Search and Rescue (SAR) response times can be several hours, especially in remote or rugged terrain. During this delay, the hiker’s condition can rapidly worsen.
There is currently no rapid-response system to deliver life-sustaining water to stranded hikers before SAR personnel arrive.
________________________________________
2. Project Objective
Design, build, and demonstrate a remotely deployable, semi-autonomous drone system capable of:
• Launching from a trailhead station
• Locating stranded hikers using visual and infrared (IR) sensing
• Delivering emergency water supplies
• Providing location confirmation to SAR teams
The system is intended to extend survivability, not replace SAR operations.
________________________________________
3. Concept of Operations (ConOps)
Normal Operation
1. Hiker distress call is received by authorities or park personnel.
2. Approximate hiker location (GPS / last-known position) is provided to the system.
3. A water-delivery drone is remotely deployed from a trailhead station.
4. The drone:
o Navigates to the target area
o Uses visual + IR sensors to detect humans on or near the trail
o Confirms target identity
5. The drone delivers water via:
o Controlled landing, or
o Tethered drop mechanism
6. Drone relays GPS location and imagery to SAR teams.
7. SAR personnel continue ground rescue.
________________________________________
4. System-Level Requirements (Example)
Functional Requirements
• FR-1: The system shall deploy a drone within 5 minutes of activation.
• FR-2: The drone shall carry and deliver ≥1 liter of potable water.
• FR-3: The drone shall operate in ambient temperatures up to 45°C (113°F).
• FR-4: The drone shall identify human presence using visual and IR imaging.
• FR-5: The drone shall transmit GPS coordinates and imagery to the operator.
• FR-6: The system shall operate without modifying existing SAR procedures.