Team Crow’s Nest
University of Colorado Boulder
Innovating the Search and Rescue Process through Data Fusion
The Team
Jeff Venicx
• CU Robotics Club Founder and Team Lead for Robosub Team
• PhD Candidate in Computer Science at University of Colorado Boulder
• MS in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from University of Colorado Boulder
• BS in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from University of Colorado Boulder
Jake Luoma
• Former Engineer at Genentech
• MS in Computer Science Candidate at University of Colorado Boulder
• BS in Chemical and Biological Engineering from University of Colorado Boulder
Stacy Hayes
• Former Software Development Intern at Lockheed Martin
• BS in Computer Science from University of Colorado Boulder
Alex Mclaren
• Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corp
• Former Intern at the U.S. House of Representatives
• BS in Electrical Engineering from University of Colorado Boulder
Chad Lewis
• Development Engineer at Figure Engineering
• Former DevOps Intern at Webroot
• BS in Computer Science from University of Colorado Boulder
Jake McGrath
• Owner of McGrath Technologies
• Former Software Engineer at Overall Electric LLC
• BS in Aerospace Engineering and Applied Math Candidate at University of Colorado Boulder
Nolan Ferguson
• Former Systems Engineer for Air Force Office of Hypersonic Research funded research team
• BS in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from University of Colorado Boulder
Problem Sponsor
National Security Agency (NSA)
Original Problem Statement
National Security Agency (NSA) personnel need alternative techniques to use UAVs to improve time and success rate of Search and Rescue missions.
Beneficiary Discovery Interviews
42
The Innovation
The National Security Agency (NSA) tasked Team Crow’s Nest with coordinating multiple Unmanned Autonomous Vehicles (UAVs) to support Search and Rescue (SAR) efforts. As the team began researching their problem and conducting beneficiary discovery interviews, they identified other SAR procedures that require innovation. Some of these key innovations include better understanding how SAR crews utilize resources such as drones including cost, response time, sensor packages, etc.
As the team continued to conduct beneficiary discovery interviews, they realized the real issue wasn't in how to deploy UAVs, but rather how to effectively allocate resources to improve the mission’s success. They found that the true problem lies in identifying how to effectively utilize existing technology to improve the success of a SAR mission. Many of the resources available to SAR teams are not coordinated to work together to support a mission. The team pivoted and began brainstorming how to most effectively allocate resources and create a system that could be as versatile as the product’s end-users.
Ultimately, the team discovered data fusion was the most effective way to combine the various sets of information that are essential for a successful SAR mission. The team utilized topographical maps, GPS tracking, radios and drone deployment options to form one unified source of information that SAR teams are able to utilize to better carry out their mission. Algorithms within the system use all available information and additional subject behavior modeling to project likely hiker travel patterns. This information is used to highlight where SAR efforts are best focused.
This innovation dramatically reduces the preparation time needed for SAR teams. The platform pools all relevant information and creates a projected travel path for the subject so the team can focus solely on carrying out their mission.
Many of their beneficiaries and future end-users agreed with the product’s success. A US Navy officer stated: “This predictive analysis could take SAR planning from hours to minutes.” Reducing the SAR planning time is essential to ensuring the mission is successful. A Chief Warrant Officer at the Army National Guard of Colorado told Team Crow’s Nest that: “The success rate increases exponentially with additional prep time. Someone has to try and figure out resource allocation based on probability.” This resource would serve as an invaluable resource to SAR efforts within the state of Colorado and beyond.
With this innovation, the team is able to generate insights that would typically take years of experience in the field of SAR to generate. The team will be continuing their work beyond the semester and are in the process of applying for funding opportunities.
Presentation
Team Crow’s Nest’s
Hacking for Defense Experience
Try, Fail, Adjust
When asked to describe the hardest and the most rewarding aspects of the course, Team Crow’s Nest gave a surprising answer. “The answer to both would be the team.” They shared that at times it was a challenge to balance all the different attitudes on the team. Each team member had a different idea on the direction of their work which led to friendly arguments and debates among the group.
The team also attributed these “arguments” as the ultimate reason for their success. Everyone on the team cared so deeply about what they were working on and wanted to succeed. The team environment was one that encouraged open discussion about all aspects of the project. Even when they believed they were on the right track, a teammate would jump in with a “Well… what about this?” This allowed the team to push their final product to one that was completely thought through after challenge from other team members and led the team to success.
H4D is Shaping the Academic Experience
For many students, Hacking for Defense is a highlight of a student’s academic experience and impacts a student’s future career plans. For Jeff Venicx, Computer Science PhD candidate, this course opened his eyes to the variety of funding opportunities available that will allow him to continue his research. As a true Colorado native, he describes this unexplored area of research funding as fresh powder in the snow that he is excited to trek through.
For teammate Chad Lewis, the course has led him to work for his problem sponsors after graduation. He urged the Common Mission Project team to “Do whatever you can to keep this course around. This is one of three courses that I will remember for the rest of my life. We went through it all: all the hardships, all the arguments. I truly think that this is a program that needs to be advocated for.” As shown through Crow’s Nest and their Hacking for Defense experience, this course is one that truly shapes student’s academic experiences.
Douglas County Search and Rescue Dog