Amphibious Rescue Drone: A New Era of Disaster Management

Designers Junkai Shao and Wenzhe Tang Unveil a Revolutionary Lifesaving Tool

Rescue operations in mountainous regions or rock caves pose significant challenges. The terrain and underwater environmental conditions can limit the effectiveness of manual rescue efforts, making them inefficient and risky. Traditional rescue equipment, often single-function and cumbersome, struggles to adapt to the dynamic environments and chain emergencies caused by natural disasters. This is where Amphibious comes in.

Amphibious is not your typical drone. Its four wings can be adjusted to form a portable mode, flight mode, or diving mode, making it a versatile tool in a variety of disaster scenarios. The outer diameter of the wings is equipped with a radar life detection device, allowing rescuers to locate survivors accurately. The inner diameter features a detection light, enabling the drone to carry out search and rescue tasks in dark areas.

The drone's realization technology is equally impressive. It is formed by mould and then fixed to a structure frame of plastic, aluminum alloy, and composite material by riveting and screwing. The lightweight design uses aviation aluminum, and the surface of the fuselage is coated with a solar film coating. This innovative feature enables the drone to convert solar energy into electrical energy and store it in an internal battery for self-supply and use.

The drone's multipoint life detection radar, located on the outside of the four wings, transmits pulse electromagnetic waves in multiple directions through ultra-wide spectrum radar to detect survivors. This feature, combined with the drone's foldable design, makes it a highly efficient and practical tool for disaster rescue.

The project, which started in May 2019 in Nanjing, was completed in December 2020. The design process involved extensive research, including questionnaire surveys, demand analysis, brainstorming, concept sketching, modeling, rendering, and simulation testing. The result is a product that not only meets the needs of rescue personnel but also addresses the challenges posed by complex and variable disaster environments.

The Amphibious rescue drone has been recognized for its innovative design and potential impact on disaster management. It was awarded Silver in the A' Security, Safety, and Surveillance Products Design Award in 2021. This prestigious award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation. The Amphibious rescue drone, with its life detection, location, transportation, and emergency lighting functions, is indeed a deserving recipient of this accolade.