Students build rescue robot

The Plasma RX Robot has been designed by students at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Engineering.

The 65-by-60-centimetre Plasma RX Robot has been designed to provide "intelligent assistance". Equipped with Artificial Intelligence (AI), the robot can adapt to different types of rescue situations.

Designed by master's students from the university's Faculty of Engineering, the robot can be set on automatic mode for simpler rescue operations. Nawarat Termthanaso-mbat, who led the team of students, said.

The robot has a laser range-finder and AI software that help it detect surrounding objects and generate three-dimensional maps of a given area. The range-finder allows the robot a 240-degree view over a 5-metre range. The pictures taken by the range-finder are sent to the robot's AI-enabled brain, which then generates a 3D map of the area. The robot generates 10 such maps every second, which help prevent the robot from getting lost. 

The robot has a microphone that can detect sounds and sensors that can measure carbon dioxide and body heat. The presence of carbon dioxide and heat implies a disaster victim may be alive.

The robot also has a webcam to read signboards warning of danger and a mechanism that allows it to navigate rough areas.

The mechanism helps the robot keep the level and viewing angle of its webcam and laser range-finder parallel with the ground, helping it better compose pictures to create 3D maps.

The Plasma RX has been entered for the World RoboCup 2008, which takes place next month in Suzhou, China.