Student Innovation-There is a need to design drones and robots that can solve some of the pressing challenges of India such as handling medical emergencies, search and rescue operations, etc.
“This problem asks you to create a smart software system that controls or assists drones and robots in performing life-saving tasks. You need to build a platform that helps these machines navigate complex environments, identify people in distress, and coordinate emergency responses automatically.”
Deconstructed Problem Blueprint
WHAT TO BUILD?
A centralized Command and Control (C2) software platform that integrates computer vision, path planning, and real-time communication to manage autonomous drone/robot fleets for emergency response.
WHO IS IT FOR?
Primary: Disaster Management Authorities (NDRF), local police, and ambulance services. Secondary: Citizens in distress and ground-level rescue volunteers.
WHY DOES IT EXIST?
Human rescuers often face time delays and physical risks in disaster zones. Current systems lack unified, real-time coordination, leading to inefficient search patterns and delayed medical intervention.
INPUT → PROCESS → OUTPUT ARCHITECTURE PIPELINE
Live drone/robot video feeds, GPS coordinates, telemetry data, satellite imagery (Bhuvan/ISRO), and emergency distress signals from mobile apps.
Real-time object detection for human/hazard identification, path optimization algorithms (A* or RRT*), sensor fusion for obstacle avoidance, and multi-agent coordination logic.
Automated flight paths, heatmaps of victims, real-time alerts to emergency services, and a dashboard for mission control.
CONSTRAINTS
- Must function in low-bandwidth/offline environments (Edge computing)
- Must comply with DGCA drone regulations (No-fly zones)
- Must support multi-language voice/text alerts for local citizens
- Low latency data transmission for real-time decision making
JURY METRICS
- Time-to-detect (latency from sensor input to alert)
- Path optimization efficiency (distance vs. battery consumption)
- System uptime in intermittent network conditions
- Accuracy of victim detection in cluttered environments
CORE BOTTLENECK
The 'Communication Gap'—maintaining a stable, low-latency link between the drone/robot and the central control station in remote or disaster-struck areas with destroyed infrastructure.
Why You Should Choose This PS (Pros)
- High social impact score
- Allows for impressive visual demos using simulations (AirSim/Gazebo)
- Highly scalable across different emergency domains
Challenges & Risks to Watch (Cons)
- Hardware-heavy expectations can be expensive
- Requires deep knowledge of robotics middleware (ROS2)
- Safety and liability concerns are complex
Recommended Tech Stack & Grand Finale Features
Killer Features to Impress the SIH Jury
View Official SIH 2026 Portal Raw Text▼
Student Innovation-There is a need to design drones and robots that can solve some of the pressing challenges of India such as handling medical emergencies, search and rescue operations, etc.