Design and implementation of QUADRESCUE: A ROS-based quadruped robot for disaster response support

Abstract

Search and rescue (SAR) operations in hazardous environments demand robotic systems capable of traversing complex terrains while ensuring responder safety. Traditional wheeled platforms often fail in debris-laden areas, and fully autonomous quadrupeds remain financially out of reach for many rescue agencies. This paper presents the design and development of QUADRESCUE, a modular operator-assisted quadruped robot built to bridge the gap between affordability and capability in disaster response. QUADRESCUE delivers core SAR functionalities including remote visual inspection, real-time terrain mapping via an RGB-D camera, payload transport, and GPS-based survivor localization. Built with a robust three degrees of freedom (3DoF) per leg design, the robot uses inverse kinematics algorithms to precisely control twelve servo motors for stable locomotion across uneven terrain. The system integrates the robot operating system (ROS) for seamless operation, real-time joystick control for easy navigation, an IMU for orientation sensing, and a GPS module with 3-meter accuracy. Field evaluations demonstrate 80–94% success rates on challenging surfaces, substantially outperforming wheeled counterparts 19% to 39% with a 200-meter control range and 45 minutes of runtime. QUADRESCUE offers a lightweight, cost-effective, and repairable solution that combines practical usability with advanced performance, making it well-suited for real-world deployment in emergency rescue situations.