If you are skier, your inquisitive instinct will lead you nowhere other than the steepest point of the mountain. But, luck doesn’t favor you all the time – things get twisted and you may get caught in an avalanche. That’s why you need the right gear at the right time and know how to use it.

Carrying a shovel, a beacon, a probe pole or air back packs is not just enough. After you have rescued yourself, you need to save someone else’s life, too. Can you save hundred of them when you have already had the most complex rescue of yourself? No. That’s why Tatjana Rolle is introducing the Airborne Avalanche Rescue Assistant.

Airborne Avalanche Rescue Assistant (AARA) Will Eventually Minimize Avalanche Casualties
AARA locating and marking the spot.

The Airborne Avalanche Rescue Assistant (AARA) is an autonomous rescue drone that hovers above the avalanche site to detect and position victims. The cross-linked sensors installed across the mountain immediately alerts the rescue team and drones to leave its charging station during an avalanche.

AARA in the base station.

The drone monitors the affected area and leaves a paint on it. Once the GPS coordinates of the area are recorded, the drone sends the location information to the rescuers. Even if the victim is buried deep inside, the drone can mark the exact spot of the victim with its GPS navigation system.

Airborne Avalanche Rescue Assistant (AARA) Will Eventually Minimize Avalanche Casualties
Arrangement of the technical components.

For now, the drone is just a concept. Once it becomes a reality, this rescue system will eventually minimize casualties to a great extend.

[Image Credit: Tatjana Rolle]

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