The emergency services are responsible for providing protection against threats and dangers. One of the tasks entrusted to them is the defusing of bombs and other explosive devices. This is one of the most dangerous jobs that special squads in the relevant forces have to carry out. For this reason, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) robots are increasingly being deployed to clear dangerous areas and defuse devices.
Remote-controlled vehicles are used that can manoeuvre in confined spaces and overcome obstacles, stairs and uneven terrain. Using a highly mobile gripper arm, suspect objects can be picked up from a safe distance and transported to a secure place where they are then defused or destroyed in a controlled explosion. High-resolution video cameras on the robot give the bomb disposal experts a clear view at all times and allow them to navigate the robot accurately.
However, the training and ongoing practice required for these types of hazardous situations pose particular challenges. Apart from the task of ensuring that the trainees are not injured, the costs also play a role as the use of robots increases. An operating error could result in expensive robots becoming damaged or destroyed. Therefore, realistic training options are required which do not endanger humans or materials. This is precisely the reason why simulations have become so important for training purposes in recent years. They allow trainees to undertake realistic, skills-oriented training of the control and operating steps with no risk to the operator or the machines. The environmental parameters can also be altered at any time.
One example of this technology is the PC-based virtual reality simulation developed by szenaris GmbH for the robot vehicles tEODor, telemax and PackBot EOD. To enable trainees to practise using the vehicles, the simulation presents realistically reproduced 3D models of different virtual environments (scenarios) such as a car park, aeroplane, building, outdoor terrain etc. The virtual vehicles are controlled with an original operating device connected to the PC, which makes the simulation much more realistic. The simulation offers the full range of vehicle functions including driving, arm movements, gripping, camera and lighting. In addition, different levels of difficulty can be set and the simulation can be extended as required for different vehicles, objects and scenarios.
These and other simulations are an effective form of training which the emergency services can use realistically and safely while also saving resources in order to ensure they are as well prepared as possible for a real emergency situation.
Remote-controlled vehicles are used that can manoeuvre in confined spaces and overcome obstacles, stairs and uneven terrain. Using a highly mobile gripper arm, suspect objects can be picked up from a safe distance and transported to a secure place where they are then defused or destroyed in a controlled explosion. High-resolution video cameras on the robot give the bomb disposal experts a clear view at all times and allow them to navigate the robot accurately.
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| Screenshot from the virtual reality simulation for robot vehicles developed by szenaris GmbH. (Photo: szenaris) |
However, the training and ongoing practice required for these types of hazardous situations pose particular challenges. Apart from the task of ensuring that the trainees are not injured, the costs also play a role as the use of robots increases. An operating error could result in expensive robots becoming damaged or destroyed. Therefore, realistic training options are required which do not endanger humans or materials. This is precisely the reason why simulations have become so important for training purposes in recent years. They allow trainees to undertake realistic, skills-oriented training of the control and operating steps with no risk to the operator or the machines. The environmental parameters can also be altered at any time.
One example of this technology is the PC-based virtual reality simulation developed by szenaris GmbH for the robot vehicles tEODor, telemax and PackBot EOD. To enable trainees to practise using the vehicles, the simulation presents realistically reproduced 3D models of different virtual environments (scenarios) such as a car park, aeroplane, building, outdoor terrain etc. The virtual vehicles are controlled with an original operating device connected to the PC, which makes the simulation much more realistic. The simulation offers the full range of vehicle functions including driving, arm movements, gripping, camera and lighting. In addition, different levels of difficulty can be set and the simulation can be extended as required for different vehicles, objects and scenarios.
These and other simulations are an effective form of training which the emergency services can use realistically and safely while also saving resources in order to ensure they are as well prepared as possible for a real emergency situation.
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| Realistic and safe training thanks to the simulation. (Photo: szenaris) |