SKYRAD:Autonomous UAS for Radiation Search and Mapping

Rapid, reliable, and accurate detection of radiation is critical in preparing for and responding to potential terrorist attacks with a radiological dispersal device (RDD) or "dirty bomb". Current detection methods using handheld or vehicle-borne detectors are inefficient, labor-intensive, and often limited to small screening areas. Deploying a small autonomous UAS carrying a radiation detector has proven to provide a more effective method for scanning a large area. Nonetheless, efficiently detecting and locating radioactive sources remains a challenge to first responders.We propose to develop an advanced UAS for radiation detector, named SkyRad.SkyRad will use intelligent sensing to understand the scene and use context aware dynamic path planning to optimize the search mission. SkyRad will generate 3D mapping of the radiation heat map and perform radioactive source localization.Commercial applications include law enforcement, special event security, public safety, fire and EMS agencies and private industries.