Radar-based system detects heartbeats under wreckage
When natural disasters or man-made catastrophes occur, search and rescue teams have to act quickly to locate and recover people trapped beneath the debris.
Looking to make this easier and more effective, The Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate has joined forces with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to create a radar-based system that can detect a human heartbeat buried up to 30ft under assorted rubble.
Called FINDER, for Finding Individuals for Disaster and Emergency Response, the prototype device uses advanced data processing systems to quickly pick out faint signals.
According to its developers, the microwave radar technology is even sensitive enough to distinguish the unique signature of a human's breathing pattern and heartbeat from other living creatures.
"The advantage of this technology is in allowing first responders to quickly ascertain if a living victim is present in the debris," said JPL programme manager Edward Chow." The technology is sensitive enough that victims, whether conscious or not, can easily be detected, which helps responders decide the most efficient course of action."
FINDER has already been successfully trialled on 65 different occasions. A commercial version is expected to launch early next year.
