Snow and Avalanches

Here comes the avalanche DRONE

Drones, or mini remotely piloted helicopters, equipped with cameras and sensors to find the missing under avalanches. The project exists and is real. We are working experts Lim Mechatronics Lab at the Politecnico di Torino, directed by Andrea Tonoli that, in the branch of VerrÃ©s in Val D'Aosta, has created an search for safety in the mountains.

Friday 9 May 2014 3 minutes reading time

The objective of these minivelivoli without pilot will to search for missing people in risky areas for rescuers, having an aerial view of the area to scour and will be usable even with the bad weather. How it will work Drone avalanche? In case of an avalanche from the drones Scan will scan the area in search of the climbers were buried. "They will do the same job of humans, but also in critical weather conditions and in areas where the rescuers in danger of being overwhelmed by new avalanchesÂ» Tonoli explains. Similar devices, therefore, increase the chances survival because of the missing narrow the field to beat teams with dogs and on foot, while not canceling the objective risks. "The first security system remains the prudence and unfortunately many of those who venture into the mountains do not have them - Marcello says Chiaberge, deputy director of the center of Verres - Too many come without a shovel and Arva, or if they do not wear it in the right way. "Possession of the necessary tools to detect persons under the snow is, in fact, an essential prerogative to operate the drones, as well as a sophisticated system of cameras, they are able to intercept the signals from Arva. "That's why we are also working to improve the quality and power Â» continues Tonoli coordinating one of the few teams that work in Italy are developing similar technologies in the field of safety in the mountains. On the timing of implementation, however, prefer prudence assuming mediolunghi times: "Within 5 years, the prototype will be ready to be used - explains - The testing phase of the Polytechnic, who works in collaboration with the Region of Valle d'Aosta and thelatest Grivel, a company that manufactures security devices, it is at an advanced stage. " The hypothesis is that in the future all the rescue teams can count on similar devices also reset if the dangers of the mountain is impossible.

Valentina Graziosi

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