MIT Solve

Solution Overview & Team Lead Details

Solution name.

SiMI

Provide a one-line summary of your solution.

SiMI creates safety in potentially risky environments that first responders must face. We improve their decision-making process by gathering data with mobile robotics platforms and sensors.

What specific problem are you trying to solve?

When discussing about first responders, what usually comes to mind is an agent who assists in emergency situations with specific configurations and variables. According to Mason et al. (2017). These situations of crises tend to be defined by similar attributes: (1) They are often unexpected; (2) they are non-routine and require novel and often extreme response measures; (3) they produce high levels of uncertainty (conceptualized as: “Ambiguity about the outcomes of various actions, exists when details of situations are ambiguous, complex, unpredictable, or probabilistic, when information is unavailable or inconsistent” ). These tendencies describe a scenario in which there is a lack of information about the state of the emergency that may result in poor knowledge for strategic purposes and hence in an increased exposure to traumatic situations and hazardous environments.

In view of the case study presented by Jaramillo et al. (2021). in Colombia, for example, 31 out of 40 firefighters agree that the greatest difficulties in attending a wildfire- the emergency with higher incidence -are: (1) access to the affected zone; (2) wind direction; (3) lack of personnel. The statistics not only stress the fact that they are at mercy of unknown variables but also evidence that some efforts may be futile whenever they claim that forest fires are neglected if favorable conditions are not present. In addition, police and law enforcement institutions, are in need of implementing new solutions to: “mantener la calidad de vida ciudadana, un aspecto fundamental para elevar la satisfacción de los ciudadanos es la efectividad en la capacidad de atención a las necesidades de emergencias y seguridad que se presentan en sus territorios” ["to maintain the quality of life of citizens, a fundamental aspect to increase citizen satisfaction is the effectiveness in the capacity to attend to the emergency and security needs that arise in their territories"] (ESU, 2021) .While there exists multiple mechanisms to comply with the methodological guidelines created by the local risk management entity UNGRD [National Entity for Disaster risk Management], there have not been enough efforts to create strategies to gather information that may clarify the potentially dangerous events as part of the guideline.

The above mentioned considers that an appropriate knowledge of the incident is part of an effective response and hence a decrease of the hazard but it also questions: ¿how to design strategies and tools to control the uncertainty of potentially risk environments and strengthen first responders institutions?

PREVIOUSLY CITED WORKS:

Mason A.M, Drew Shirley, Weaver David(2017) Managing Crisis-induced uncertainty: First responder experiences from the 2011 Joplin-Duquesne Tornado

Jaramillo Simón, Granda Juan David(2021) Artio: Vehículo Terrestre no tripulado para atenuación de conatos de incendio From: https://repository.eia.edu.co/...

Empresa para la Seguridad y Soluciones Urbanas - ESU (2021) From: https://www.esucontratacion.co...

UNGRD (2020), Análisis del riesgo From: https://repositorio.gestiondel...

Elevator pitch

What is your solution?

SiMI develops mobile robotics platforms with sensors to collect real-time data and improve decision making processes of first responders. The data is then visualized on a user interface that makes data easy to interpret and understand. The robot will enable final users to improve their coverage as well as mitigate the risk the emergency represents for their integrity.

The users will deploy the robot on the scene of the incident or those they want to keep in control over. The robot, teleoperated, will start collecting data on the field. This data is displayed in different alerts or alarms for strategic porpuses and in order to create more situational\spatial awareness of the scene.

This combination of software and hardware will address several situations that nowadays are getting more complex and will revolutionize the way we approach emergency situations in a safer way.

Who does your solution serve? In what ways will the solution impact their lives?

First responders are usually working in demanding and stressing situations that may even put their lifes at risk facing the "unknown". Some studies have been performed to showcase how their mental health is also involved and how they can develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder, panic disorder , and generalized anxiety disorder. In Colombia, government entities, for instance, have evidenced a relation between the exposure to carbon monoxide, dioxin, ozone with the formation of respiratory symptoms and decreased lung function in firefighters. On the other hand, police officers in countries like Mexico, Chile and Peru present high burnout levels.

With the robotics involved, we aim to reduce exposure and create safety and greater certainty and control. We firmly believe that an easier access to real-time data will deal with ambiguity, risk and more efficient operations.

How are you and your team well-positioned to deliver this solution?

Even though it is a reduced team, our capabilities are complementary and cover all the needs of the project. We are a team of two professionals with different backgrounds and different experiences but with one common mission: create safety and stregthen government institutions.

We are both experienced in mechatronics systems, electronics, robotics, desing and prototyping. However, we support different areas and combine our experience working with large companies and startups. Our project can be reduced in three areas:

Operations, business and sales: This department is responsible for engaging with potential costumers, understand their potential needs, scope potential markets and coordinate demos. The area is leaded by Juan. Juan has worked in Silicon Valley startups and has experience driving the adoption of top-notch tecnologies (robotics), engaging with costumers and coordinating on-field operations.

Software and data: In charge of the development of software and the data processing. The department is headed by Simón, who is specialist in big data and machine learning. He has leaded software projects in large companies.

Hardware and manufacture: Supported by both.

What steps have you taken to understand the needs of the population you want to serve?

We have closely engaged with first responders locally, specially with fire fighters and police officers by conducting field investigations (surveys, tecnology validation) and doing research on national databases of government institutions. To date, we have prototyped Artio, an unmanned Ground Vehicle created to assist first responders in wildfires. It was designed considering their requirements and understanding their needs as well.

We are also stepping forward by designing a novel robotics platform to help police officers in their patrols.

Which aspects of the Challenge does your solution most closely address?

Other: Addressing an unmet social, environmental, or economic need not covered in the four dimensions above.

What is your solution’s stage of development?

Prototype: A venture or organization building and testing its product, service, or business model

In what city, town, or region is your solution team located?

Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

Who is the Team Lead for your solution?

Juan David Granda Arredondo