Ground robotic platforms for evacuation of wounded and injured: international experience and application prospects

OBJECTIVE. Evaluate the capabilities, effectiveness and development trends of ground-based robotic evacuation platforms, and identify factors affecting their introduction into emergency management systems.

MATERIALS AND METHODS. The analysis was based on Russian and foreign publications, comparative assessment of key characteristics (chassis type, payload, autonomy), as well as qualitative study of application scenarios in real conditions or field tests. Sources were searched using the queries “robotic ground vehicles”, “casualty evacuation”, “rescue robotics”, “military medical robotics” in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and eLibrary databases, resulting in the identification of 30 relevant articles, of which 16 were directly cited during the writing of the paper.

RESULTS. The comparative review showed that platforms with modular design, improved power and control systems that reduce risks to the evacuee and shorten evacuation times are highly effective.

DISCUSSION. The analysis has shown the need to create unified communication and control standards, as well as to expand the functionality of integrated medical modules and navigation systems, which will make it possible to prepare robotic complexes more effectively for a variety of emergency scenarios and ensure their stable operation in the face of external interference.

CONCLUSION. Ground-based robotic systems have significant potential to improve the speed and safety of rescue operations, but require further improvements in energy efficiency, integration with emergency management systems, the development of medical modules and integrated countermeasures against external factors.

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