Robert McSwain

Emergency response operations provide a unique environment where autonomous systems can build trust and save lives. NASA has several research projects which can be leveraged by emergency response communities. The relationship between research experiments and operational deployment can be complex, but when understood can empower first responders with cutting edge technologies. Autonomy research is a multi-disciplinary field with many stakeholders, and it is critical to have basic concepts understood by all. From satellites to small aircraft, the scale of applications of autonomous systems in emergency response is vast. A NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) project called CAS (Convergent Aeronautics Solutions) has initiated an activity called STEReO (Scalable Traffic Management for Emergency Response Operations) to research the feasibility of increasing air traffic capabilities to support manned and unmanned aircraft in wild fire and hurricane operational environments. STEReO concepts and ideas are being developed in collaboration with emergency response communities.