Rescue robots are expected to carry out reconnaissance and dexterity operations in unknown environments comprising unstructured obstacles. Although a wide variety of designs and implementations have been presented within the field of rescue robotics, embedding all mobility, dexterity, and reconnaissance capabilities in a single robot remains a challenging problem. This paper explains the design and implementation of Karo, a mobile robot that exhibits a high degree of mobility at the side of maintaining required dexterity and exploration capabilities for urban search and rescue (USAR) missions. We first elicit the system requirements of a standard rescue robot from the frameworks of Rescue Robot League (RRL) of RoboCup and then, propose the conceptual design of Karo by drafting a locomotion and manipulation system. Considering that, this work presents comprehensive design processes along with detail mechanical design of the robot’s platform and its 7-DOF manipulator. Further, we present the design and implementation of the command and control system by discussing the robot’s power system, sensors, and hardware systems. In conjunction with this, we elucidate the way that Karo’s software system and human–robot interface are implemented and employed. Furthermore, we undertake extensive evaluations of Karo’s field performance to investigate whether the principal objective of this work has been satisfied. We demonstrate that Karo has effectively accomplished assigned standardized rescue operations by evaluating all aspects of its capabilities in both RRL’s test suites and training suites of a fire department. Finally, the comprehensiveness of Karo’s capabilities has been verified by drawing quantitative comparisons between Karo’s performance and other leading robots participating in RRL.

The respiratory system is a complex group of organs in the human body, all of which are necessary in breathing. Due to its special anatomy and composition, after exposure to various damaging factors such as micro particles, carbon granules and toxic gases, the respiratory system can be affected by a variety of damage without return to its original state. Currently, the prevalence of lung diseases, including asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, such as emphysema, has increased remarkably. New therapeutic approaches are desperately needed to discover regenerative medicine approaches, especially cell therapy. This review summarizes the recent advances in stem cell treatments and the research efforts conducted through the application of stem cell therapy for respiratory system diseases. In particular, researchers have used animal models to gather data about treating lung injury by stem cell transplantation. This review concentrated on the findings about route, timing and adjustment of cell transplantation dose, optimum stem cell type selection and potency marker of cells as therapeutic agents. These factors are essential subjects for approval and clinical transplantation. The current clinical trials aiming at treatment of lung diseases by stem cells are mentioned and discussed.

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