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Volume 18, Issue 2 (2026)
Iran J War Public Health 2026, 18(2): 165-171 |
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Received: 2026/02/8 | Accepted: 2026/03/23 | Published: 2026/04/10
Received: 2026/02/8 | Accepted: 2026/03/23 | Published: 2026/04/10
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Jiryaei Z. Mapping the Landscape of Civilian Rescue Robots in Disaster Response. Iran J War Public Health 2026; 18 (2) :165-171
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Z. Jiryaei *
Iran-Helal Institute of Applied Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran
Abstract (660 Views)
Aims: Rescue robots are increasingly used in disaster and conflict-related emergencies due to their ability to operate in hazardous and inaccessible environments, thereby reducing risks to victims and responders. However, existing evidence is fragmented, limiting comprehensive understanding. This review aimed to map the use of civilian rescue robots in disaster and emergency response scenarios, identify key technological domains, and categorize existing research based on application and functionality.
Information & Methods: This scoping review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines and the Arksey and O’Malley framework. A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect for studies published between 2017 and 2024. Studies on civilian rescue robots in natural and human-made disasters were included. Screening and data extraction were conducted by two independent reviewers, and disagreements were resolved by a third reviewer.
Findings: Rescue robots are being developed for diverse emergency settings, including disaster environments, aquatic/amphibious contexts, and cloud-enabled scenarios that support real-time coordination. Across included studies, improvements were consistently reported in key operational outcomes, such as mobility and obstacle negotiation, navigation efficiency, environmental adaptability, and communication-driven coordination. Aquatic rescue platforms in particular showed gains in stability, propulsion efficiency, and maneuverability, supporting safer water-based rescues. However, considerable heterogeneity in study designs, robot types, and outcome measures limited comparability and constrained quantitative synthesis.
Conclusion: Rescue robots have high potential for improving emergency response and public health outcomes in disaster and conflict settings.
Information & Methods: This scoping review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines and the Arksey and O’Malley framework. A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect for studies published between 2017 and 2024. Studies on civilian rescue robots in natural and human-made disasters were included. Screening and data extraction were conducted by two independent reviewers, and disagreements were resolved by a third reviewer.
Findings: Rescue robots are being developed for diverse emergency settings, including disaster environments, aquatic/amphibious contexts, and cloud-enabled scenarios that support real-time coordination. Across included studies, improvements were consistently reported in key operational outcomes, such as mobility and obstacle negotiation, navigation efficiency, environmental adaptability, and communication-driven coordination. Aquatic rescue platforms in particular showed gains in stability, propulsion efficiency, and maneuverability, supporting safer water-based rescues. However, considerable heterogeneity in study designs, robot types, and outcome measures limited comparability and constrained quantitative synthesis.
Conclusion: Rescue robots have high potential for improving emergency response and public health outcomes in disaster and conflict settings.
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