Distilling support opportunities to improve urban search and rescue missions

Abstract

Current USAR missions are challenged by many factors leading to a study on how human computer interaction can provide support in this domain. Using data from a two-day observation in combination with mission reports, we applied a situated cognitive engineering design methodology to distill the operational demands, the human factors challenges, and the current and future technological design space. The operational demands result in a set of core functions that were explained in various parts of the USAR mission organization. Furthermore, an exemplary support scenario and prototype was provided in combination with claims on the envisioned effect. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.