A Comprehensive Review on Robotics in Disaster Response and Recovery

Robotic technology has become a crucial tool in disaster response and recovery, offering innovative solutions to complex challenges faced by responders. This chapter provides an overview of robotics’ role in disaster management, emphasizing recent advancements, ongoing challenges, and future directions. Innovations include unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned ground vehicles, underwater robotics, and wearable systems designed for reconnaissance, search and rescue, infrastructure inspection, debris clearance, and rehabilitation. These technologies improve disaster response by enhancing situational awareness, increasing speed and efficiency, and reducing risks to human lives. However, deploying robotics in disaster scenarios presents challenges such as limited battery life, communication issues, and adaptability to various environments. Ethical concerns about privacy, data security, and human–robot interaction also impact the adoption of these technologies. Additionally, regulatory and socioeconomic factors, along with the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, complicate the field. Future research should focus on overcoming these obstacles and seizing opportunities to advance robotics in disaster response. This includes improving autonomous systems, enhancing human–robot interaction, leveraging sensors, and ensuring ethical deployment. By addressing these challenges, we can maximize the potential of robotics to create safer and more resilient communities in the face of disasters.