Robotic Autonomous Stretcher
In this project I wanted to create an improved stretcher solution for an earthquake disaster scenario. How could the current existing stretchers be modified to better traverse a post earthquake environment and it’s hazards?
Problem Statement
Earthquakes kill thousands of people per year and are one of the least predictable natural disasters. These events cause damage to infrastructure which makes it difficult for the first responders to work on site.
What are the issues with current solutions?
Current stretchers require teams of people to operate and in a disaster scenario, first responders might get spread too thin. What are ways in which the current systems can be improved?
What are alternative methods to the current wheeled stretcher?
In the ideation phase, I wanted to focus on alternative means of transporting patients through the rough terrain while taking stress off of the first responders. Making sure the patient would be safe and stable was a big priority.
Crafting a Physical Prototype
Creating a physical model gave me a sense of scale for the model and helped me find which features were necessary for real-world use.
Final Model
After defining all the features, I honed in on what the model would look like which took inspiration from medical products and tools which feature monochrome colors and subtle curves.
