Ewers, J.-H. , Anderson, D. and Thomson, D. (2023) Optimal path planning using psychological profiling in drone-assisted missing person search. Advanced Control for Applications: Engineering and Industrial Systems, 5(4), e167. (doi: 10.1002/adc2.167)
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Abstract
Search and rescue operations are all time-sensitive and this is especially true when searching for a vulnerable missing person, such as a child or elderly person suffering dementia. Recently, Police Scotland Air Support Unit has begun the deployment of drones to assist in missing person searches with success, although the efficacy of the search relies upon the expertise of the drone operator. In this paper, several algorithms for planning the search path are compared to determine which approach has the highest probability of finding the missing person in the shortest time. In addition to this, the use of á priori psychological profile information of the subject to create a probability map of likely locations within the search area was explored. This map is then used within a nonlinear optimization to determine the optimal flight path for a given search area and subject profile. Two optimization solvers were compared; genetic algorithms, and particle swarm optimization. Finally, the most effective algorithm was used to create a coverage path for a real-life location, for which Police Scotland Air Support Unit completed multiple test flights. The generated flight paths based on the predicted intent of the lost person were found to perform statistically better than those of the expert police operators.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Thomson, Dr Douglas and Ewers, Jan-Hendrik and Anderson, Dr David |
| Authors: | Ewers, J.-H., Anderson, D., and Thomson, D. |
| College/School: | College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Autonomous Systems and Connectivity |
| Journal Name: | Advanced Control for Applications: Engineering and Industrial Systems |
| Publisher: | Wiley |
| ISSN: | 2578-0727 |
| ISSN (Online): | 2578-0727 |
| Published Online: | 22 September 2023 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2023 The Authors |
| First Published: | First published in Advanced Control for Applications: Engineering and Industrial Systems 5(4):e167 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons license |
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