Proof of concept apparatus for the design of a simple, low cost, mobile e-nose for real-time victim localization (human presence) based on indoor air quality monitoring sensors

Indoor air quality monitoring sensor devices that are simple to operate, low cost and readily available were tested in an apparatus capable of preparing, storing, and manipulating air samples. Suitably prepared air samples were captured and measured with the apparatus emulating the conditions anticipated in the target application, i.e the detection of humans in confined and poorly ventilated spaces during Urban Search and Rescue Operations. The apparatus and the testing methodology, that were designed in order to evaluate the suitability of the selected sensors for implementing an electronic nose (e-nose) for human detection, are presented. Currently an e-nose system that is under development, adopted the architecture finalized in the presented work, and is intended to be used during the Assessment, Search and Rescue (ASR) stage 4 of a USaR operation as part of the sensor payload of a remotely controlled robot that enters the rubble of collapsed structures searching for trapped victims. The planned prototype will be tested in near realistic conditions.