Related papers: On an optimization model for firefighting helicopt…
This paper presents a novel algorithm to plan energy-efficient trajectories for autonomous ornithopters. In general, trajectory optimization is quite a relevant problem for practical applications with \emph{Unmanned Aerial Vehicles} (UAVs).…
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are increasingly utilized in global search and rescue efforts, enhancing operational efficiency. In these missions, a coordinated swarm of UAVs is deployed to efficiently cover expansive areas by capturing…
Search and rescue missions are often critical following sudden natural disasters or in high-risk environmental situations. The most challenging search and rescue missions involve difficult-to-access terrains, such as dense forests with high…
This paper presents a framework for controlled emergency landing of a quadcopter, experiencing a rotor failure, away from sensitive areas. A complete mathematical model capturing the dynamics of the system is presented that takes the…
This paper explores the combination of Reinforcement Learning (RL) and search-based path planners to speed up the optimization of flight paths for airliners, where in case of emergency a fast route re-calculation can be crucial. The…
We propose a novel concept of operations using optimal planning methods and machine learning (ML) to collect spaceborne data that is unprecedented for monitoring wildfires, process it to create new or enhanced products in the context of…
Fighting wildfires is a precarious task, imperiling the lives of engaging firefighters and those who reside in the fire's path. Firefighters need online and dynamic observation of the firefront to anticipate a wildfire's unknown…
Suitably equipped with cameras and sensors, uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) can be instrumental for wildfire prediction, tracking, and monitoring, provided that uninterrupted connectivity can be guaranteed even if some of the ground access…
Wildfire suppression is a complex task that poses high risks to humans. Using robotic teams for wildfire suppression enhances the safety and efficiency of detecting, monitoring, and extinguishing fires. We propose a control architecture…
Floating-base multi-link robots can change their shape during flight, making them well-suited for applications in confined environments such as autonomous inspection and search and rescue. However, trajectory planning for such systems…
This thesis explores the benefits machine learning algorithms can bring to online planning and scheduling for autonomous vehicles in off-road situations. Mainly, we focus on typical problems of interest which include computing itineraries…
UAVs are playing an increasingly important role in the field of wilderness rescue by virtue of their flexibility. This paper proposes a fusion of UAV vision technology and satellite image analysis technology for active wildfires detection…
This paper presents the Firefighter Optimization (FFO) algorithm as a new hybrid metaheuristic for optimization problems. This algorithm stems inspiration from the collaborative strategies often deployed by firefighters in firefighting…
The increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters underscore the critical importance of effective disaster emergency response planning to minimize human and economic losses. This survey provides a comprehensive review of recent…
Route planning for military vehicles is a complex decision-making problem due to the simultaneous influence of environmental trafficability and tactical risks. This paper presents an optimization model that integrates soil trafficability…
This paper presents a hierarchical planning algorithm for racing with multiple opponents. The two-stage approach consists of a high-level behavioral planning step and a low-level optimization step. By combining discrete and continuous…
Intense wildfire seasons require critical prioritization decisions to allocate scarce suppression resources over a dispersed geographical area. This paper develops a predictive and prescriptive approach to jointly optimize crew assignments…
One goal of applied operations research is to improve decisions in practice. This requires modelers and stakeholders to have a shared understanding of the system and for the developed model to reflect the system's core dynamics. There are…
Wildfires are a major producer of fine particulate matter, impacting human health and the electrical grid. Accurately forecasting smoke impacts over long time scales incorporates fuel treatment strategies, natural fuel succession, and…
Reducing the fuel load in fire-prone landscapes is aimed at mitigating the risk of catastrophic wildfires but there are ecological consequences. Maintaining habitat for fauna of both sufficient extent and connectivity while fragmenting…