Grade 12 students from Manila Science High School have created an innovative robot designed to assist emergency responders by mapping safe and passable routes during search and rescue operations.
Featured in the Game Changer segment of 24 Oras on Monday, the Search and Rescue Lidar Integrated and Autonomous Mapping (SLINAM) robot is fully automated and capable of mapping areas in real-time, providing crucial data for disaster response teams.
“It can aid in disaster mitigation to ensure areas are better prepared before disasters strike or assist in search and rescue operations, especially in debris-filled zones where rescuers are at risk,” explained developer Kazuya Mori.
“This robot helps reduce dangers for rescuers by offering a clear visual of the area before they enter,” added co-developer Jose Xavier Cruz.
The SLINAM robot is equipped with a lidar sensor and specialized software for area detection and mapping. The collected data is transmitted to a software system that alerts responders to accessible areas. After mapping is complete, the system uses color-coding: gray indicates safe, passable areas, while black marks impassable zones.
“We wanted to challenge ourselves with this technology, which is still relatively unexplored in the Philippines,” Mori shared.
The SLINAM robot earned third place in a regional science and technology fair last year, highlighting its potential to revolutionize disaster response efforts in the country.