Project Summary

UMERS focuses on utilizing RF technology for maritime search and rescue (SAR) by equipping a UAV with advanced radio beacon detection systems. Ships, personnel, lifeboats, and critical marine assets can carry/embed these beacons, allowing the UAV to detect and track their signals with high precision over long distances. In emergencies, UMERS will locate and follow distress signals from people or vessels in danger, ensuring real-time monitoring, surveillance, and data transmission. By leveraging RFbased tracking, UMERS enhances SAR operations, improving response efficiency and situational awareness in hazardous maritime conditions.

Robotics, UAV, and wireless sensor technologies have been used in various applications but never combined to achieve UMERS’ goal. UMERS will enhance existing SAR equipment for maritime environments, improving emergency response through real-time image transmission from the incident location (unique, innovative proposal’s characteristic), increased safety, better situation awareness, and timely information sharing, ensuring more effective action during maritime emergencies. This interdisciplinary project, blending engineering, aerodynamics, communications, and IT, presents a new creative challenge for both partners, pushing their scientific boundaries and expanding their presence in the maritime market with an innovative and exploitable solution.