Auburn-led initiative explores uncrewed systems applications in state disaster response

Experts from the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, as well as local and state emergency management professionals and government officials, convened inside the Brown-Kopel Center last week to prepare for the future of preparedness.

Hosted by Auburn University, the University of Alabama in Huntsville and the University of South Alabama, the UxS Applications in Disaster Response in Alabama Summit facilitated knowledge-sharing on the state-of-the-art developments and best practices in utilizing uncrewed systems (UxS) for disaster response. 

Uncrewed? Think drones, unmanned aircraft, autonomous vehicles, robots — all technologies increasingly being integrated into both search and rescue and damage assessment efforts for the sake of safety and efficiency.

 "As uncrewed systems play an increasingly critical role across domains, Alabama must establish a coordinated framework for integrating these technologies specifically into disaster response efforts that often cross jurisdictional boundaries," said Justin Harrison, principal research scientist for the Auburn University Applied Research Institute in Huntsville. "Leading academic institutions, including the University of Alabama in Huntsville, the University of South Alabama and Auburn University, are advancing research and innovations that hold tremendous potential for real-world application.

"They're also serving as neutral convening spaces where government and industry stakeholders can collaborate on both technological implementation and the policies that enable it."

Alabama State Fire Marshal Scott Pilgreen, one of the state officials who attended the event, hopes they continue to.

"I think it’s still being determined how to link up all of these new technologies in order to make things better," Pilgreen said, "but listening to all of the experts in the room was very eye-opening. It was a really well-done program. I’d love to see it continue as more of this technology comes into use."

Allan David, associate dean for research, says the summit underscored "how vital it is for research to move beyond the lab and into the field where it can directly impact lives.”

"Especially in this area, it's not just enough to advance the technology," David said. "We have to bring leading universities, emergency management professionals and policymakers together to build the partnerships needed to ensure Alabama is at the forefront of disaster response innovation.”

Harrison agrees.