MIT's Vine-Like Robot SPROUT Aims to Transform Disaster Response Efforts.

In a significant leap for search-and-rescue robotics, scientists at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, in partnership with the University of Notre Dame, have unveiled a flexible robot that can maneuver through tight, debris-filled spaces. Known as the Soft Pathfinding Robotic Observation Unit (SPROUT), this vine-like device is engineered to support emergency crews during the aftermath of structural disasters by accessing areas that are otherwise unreachable.

When disasters strike, first responders face the critical task of locating trapped individuals and carefully extracting them from unstable environments. This process can be prolonged and physically demanding. Although legged robots are already used to assess surface conditions, their rigid structures make them prone to damage in confined, unstable zones. SPROUT, however, is designed to overcome these challenges with its adaptable form.

SPROUT operates by inflating and deflating an airtight fabric tube, allowing it to extend and twist through narrow gaps in collapsed structures. The robot can be remotely guided by emergency personnel to explore, navigate, and map debris-covered environments. It’s equipped with a camera and sensors at its tip to transmit visual and spatial data back to the operators. Emphasizing affordability and ease of use, the device provides a practical solution for teams working under intense pressure and limited resources.

“The urban search-and-rescue environment can be brutal and unforgiving,” said Chad Council, technical staff member at Lincoln Laboratory and SPROUT team member. “The fundamental way a vine robot works mitigates a lot of the challenges that other platforms face.”

The collaborative project was driven by Nathaniel Hanson, an alumnus of Notre Dame, who partnered with Notre Dame professor and MIT graduate Margaret Coad, known for her work on vine robots for industrial use.

Currently, SPROUT extends up to 10 feet (3 meters), though the team is working to increase that to 25 feet (7.6 meters). The robot is controlled via joysticks, with a live feed from its onboard camera displayed on a screen. A significant engineering hurdle was developing a control system capable of guiding the robot by precisely manipulating internal air pressure to steer through rubble. Additional challenges included minimizing friction and refining the growth mechanics of the inflatable tube.

To address the lack of real-world data from collapse events, Hanson’s team developed a simulator to recreate such environments digitally. This tool helps refine the robot’s navigation and mapping capabilities by mimicking real collapse scenarios.

Field tests have already taken place at the Massachusetts Task Force 1 training site in Beverly, Massachusetts, where researchers gathered valuable feedback from first responders. These trials led to improvements in SPROUT’s durability and handling. A larger-scale field study is scheduled for later this year.

While originally designed for disaster zones, SPROUT’s creators foresee its use in other hard-to-reach areas, such as inspecting military equipment or critical infrastructure. Although the initial focus has been on mapping voids, future development will target identifying hazards and evaluating operational safety within collapsed areas.

“This program has allowed us to bring vine robot technology closer to real-world application,” Hanson noted. “It’s opening doors for first responders to use advanced robotics in meaningful, hands-on ways.”

Source: https://www.therobotreport.com/mit-vine-robot-squeezes-through-rubble-helping-emergency-responders/

This is non-financial/medical advice and made using AI so could be wrong.