First Responders

Robots can already fly reconnaissance missions, carry supplies and enter areas considered too dangerous for people. But many real-world environments are still designed around...

Moving people and cargo quickly across coastal waters usually means choosing between two very different options. Boats can travel directly between ports but are...

Legged robots can cross terrain that stops wheeled machines, but coordinating several legs over unpredictable ground is difficult. Many robots rely on predefined gaits,...

Detecting small drones often requires sensors to be positioned close enough to likely flight paths to pick up their signals. On a battlefield, however,...

Small robots could be valuable for exploring collapsed buildings, damaged infrastructure and other spaces that are too confined or dangerous for people. But building...

Resupplying personnel in remote or contested areas is one of the most difficult challenges in military and emergency operations. Landing a drone to deliver...

Every minute counts during water rescue operations. Whether responding to a person swept away by strong currents or someone struggling after a boating accident,...

Robots designed for industrial inspection or emergency response often face a tradeoff. Wheeled platforms can move quickly and efficiently over long distances but struggle...

Collapsed buildings, flooded tunnels, and debris-filled drainage systems are among the most difficult environments for search-and-rescue teams to access after natural disasters. Small ground...

Robots are increasingly being used for inspections, emergency response, and field operations in locations that are difficult or dangerous for people to reach. However,...

Collecting data in the Arctic is often as challenging as the research itself. Beneath seemingly solid snow can lie hidden pools of icy water,...

Apco Aviation Defense is a graduate of the INNOFENSE Innovation Center operated by iHLS in collaboration with IMoD. This unique acceleration program removes entrance barriers to...

Firefighters frequently operate in environments where collapsing structures, intense heat, toxic smoke, and rapidly changing conditions pose significant risks. Entering these areas to extinguish...

Traditional robots are typically built around rigid frames, motors, gears, and joints. While this design works well in structured environments, it becomes less effective...

Drones have become valuable tools for inspection, emergency response, industrial monitoring, and aerial reconnaissance. Yet even advanced platforms often struggle in confined environments filled...

Police, fire, and emergency response agencies are expected to gain situational awareness within minutes—and often seconds—of receiving an emergency call. In many cases, however,...

Smartphone LiDAR sensors have become common in high-end devices, mainly supporting augmented reality features and depth sensing for photography. But despite their growing capabilities,...

When someone falls overboard, time becomes the most critical factor in survival. Ships traveling at speed require time to stop, launch rescue craft, and...

Integrating heavy weapons onto compact robotic ground vehicles has become a growing focus for modern militaries, but the engineering challenge is significant. Small unmanned...

When a fire alarm sounds, most people instinctively head toward the nearest exit. The problem is that the closest route is not always the...

Chronic wounds remain one of the more difficult problems in regenerative medicine. In many cases, the body fails to maintain the immune and signaling...

Foldable structures are widely used in engineering because they can transform from compact flat sheets into larger three-dimensional forms. But most existing designs face...