Piercing the Darkness to Detect 'Biological Signals'... Advanced Rescue Technology from Movies Becomes Reality

Development of Human Detection System by Korea Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute

Firefighter
Photo by Getty Images Bank

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] Domestic researchers have developed a sensor capable of detecting vital signs in disaster sites filled with smoke or dust in darkness, such as fires, explosions, and collapses, potentially saving lives. Attention is focused on whether this can help firefighters effectively rescue people.

The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) announced on the 3rd that it has developed a life detection system based on radar sensors and plans to produce prototypes and conduct living lab demonstration tests for field adaptation.

Disaster sites such as fires have many factors limiting firefighters' visibility, including darkness, smoke, and dust, and it is difficult to accurately understand the structure of the fire scene, making efficient rescue of victims challenging.

The research team utilized sensor semiconductor technology to create devices in the form of helmets or portable equipment for firefighters at disaster sites, overcoming visibility limitations and enabling detection of victims' vital signs such as breathing and heartbeat. By using the penetration performance of radio waves, it is possible to understand the situation behind obstacles at disaster sites and the presence of victims, greatly aiding rapid and accurate rescue and ensuring firefighters' safety.

To build such a life detection system, the research team developed two types of radar sensor semiconductors to improve accuracy. The first developed Impulse Radio Ultra-Wideband (IR-UWB) radar sensor can detect movements at the centimeter (cm) level using reflected electromagnetic waves. Therefore, it can detect vital signs such as victims' movements, breathing, and heartbeat, which are difficult to confirm with the naked eye. They also developed a high-precision Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar sensor technology. It can detect people who are collapsed behind walls or buried under rubble, breathing without movement.

The current system size is approximately 15cm x 20cm, and miniaturization will be pursued in the future to make it convenient for firefighters to carry. Efforts will be made to apply the sensor semiconductor-based life rescue system to disaster sites, including conducting simulated demonstrations in collaboration with firefighting-related organizations.

ETRI Principal Researcher Koo Bon-tae said, "The goal is life rescue within the golden time in disaster environments and safe rescue activities for firefighters. We will strive for rapid application to disaster sites so that this technology can contribute to the national disaster and safety management system."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.