The Use of UAVs to Save People in the Mountains: Tasks, Problems, Perspective

Abstract

The actual problem of organizing and conducting rescue operations in the mountains is considered. The achievements associated with the following factors were noted: the active development of UAVs of various designs, masses, and equipment; development of new information systems, including sensors, communication systems; the emergence of new image processing algorithms and other types of data based on artificial intelligence methods. It was emphasized that a fundamentally new achievement that opens up broad prospects is an integrated approach to the use of rescue equipment, including ground-based mobile equipment, UAVs of various types, global navigation and mobile communications, and professional rescuers. Problems were identified that are associated with the difficulties of the task, including a complex mountainous terrain, snow cover, avalanches, strong winds, low temperatures, immobility and even lack of communication with the victims. The article considers the problem of low temperatures, which leads to icing, which gives rise to an uncontrolled change in the properties of the control object UAVs, difficulties in the functioning of control elements, and distortion of the sensors. Based on the methods of artificial intelligence, including modern methods of detecting damage, a comparative analysis of different approaches was carried out and a predominant approach was drawn, which allows a high degree of certainty to detect problems of UAV icing and timely change of control system settings.