Study on Image-based Life-saving Ring Launching Method for Multiple Surface Rescue Targets

Abstract

In recent years, the need for surface life-saving has been gradually increasing as a response to accidents such as ship collisions in the marine environment. To solve this problem, there were approaches that launched life-saving rings or approached humans closely using rescue robots, or monitored the life-saving status using drones. In the rescue case of multiple humans using a separable trimaran robot with a life-saving ring launcher and a drone, an automated launching method is required to improve the rescue success rate and reduce rescue time. To resolve this problem, an image-based life-saving ring launching method for multiple surface rescue targets is proposed and verified. Annular sector generation, annular sector division, launching command generation processes were performed to implement the proposed launching method. Experimental results show that the proposed launching method enables accurate and rapid surface life-saving. Therefore, it shows that the method has meaningful components in surface life-saving and has the possibility of real system application.