Communication during a disaster is a bliss!

Communication becomes the most essential factor for one stuck in a disaster. The need for help and safety measures from essential services are sources of hope for the one who is surrounded by chaos. However, a disaster destroys many things including the modes of network connection. The high-tech tools may also fall crumbling into pieces when hit by an earthquake or a tsunami.

Enter Dan Landers and Glen Chiacchieri, students of Electrical Engineering at Northeastern University developed a robot that can operate on wireless networks, enabling effective and strong communication during disasters. With immense efforts that were taken to construct the robot, it was named after a NASA Engineer, Bobak Ferdowski.

Controllable by any kind of computer, Bobak is of a size that can fit in narrow spaces. Its webcam and antennas can help in wireless and long-range communications. The controller who can use a laptop, tablet, or smartphone can operate the robot by viewing the environment through the webcam.

Landers and Chiacchieri have planned to make Bobak a second-generation robot with multiple skills which they say includes “a greater capacity for network delivery and double as a remote power station”. Making engineering a challenging and a fun field, Landers and Chiacchieri developed a tool as excellent as a robot which would practically work in the field at times of disasters.

The introduction of the methods which include high technology in everyday lives has elevated where robots will now also serve to handle chaotic situations during earthquakes and many other man-made and natural disasters. From dropping medical and humanitarian aid to spotting survivors and communicating with them, the team of essential forces across countries have and will successfully try to provide relief to those who are impacted by disasters.

Originally published at https://globalshala.com.