RESCUE Rollers: A Platform for Collaborative, Multi-robot Exploration in Search and Rescue

Abstract

The use of robotic platforms for search and rescue remains a significant challenge for many roboticists. While human and animal first responders play critical roles, their effectiveness can be limited by biological constraints. Robotic systems offer the potential to overcome these limitations, especially in environments that are inaccessible to humans and animals due to size or safety concerns. However, individual robots often struggle to meet the diverse demands encountered during deployment. One promising approach is to deploy teams of robots, each specialized to handle different aspects of the task. In this work, we investigate heterogeneous teams in which members collaborate to accomplish tasks that no single system could achieve alone. We present the design of the Rapid Emergency Search in Cluttered and Unstructured Environments (RESCUE) rollers—a low-cost robotic platform developed to explore collaborative teaming. Our system combines inflatable vine robots and RESCUE rollers to enable locomotion across varied terrain. Additionally, we introduce design enhancements that allow multiple RESCUE rollers to coordinate and perform more complex mobility tasks. By improving mobility, enabling sensing and intelligence, and maintaining scalability through low-cost design, this work aims to enhance the effectiveness of robotic teams in search and rescue operations.