ResponseWing

Team name

Team ResponseWing

Awards

• UAS 5.0: First Responder UAS 3D Mapping Challenge
  • Stage 3 – 1st Place: $100,000
  • Stage 4 – Winner: $30,000
  • Total 5.0 Prizes: $165,000

UAS 5.0: 3D mapping solution summary

ResponseWing represented a paradigm shift in UAV technology for first responder applications. Developed during the UAS 5.0 Challenge, ResponseWing married affordability with advanced functionality, setting a new standard for UAV technology in search and rescue operations.ResponseWing was an engineered marvel with a lightweight yet durable carbon fiber chassis, making it well-suited for unpredictable disaster environments. It came with an optical flow sensor for seamless operation in GPS-denied areas. The UAV was integrated with select mobile devices like the Apple iPhone Pro and Samsung Galaxy, running a proprietary 3D mapping algorithm that created photorealistic 3D maps in real-time. It also facilitated two-way audio communication and robust data transfer over LTE/5G and extended WiFi, thanks to its compatibility with the FirstNet cellular network, enabling informed decision-making in rescue operations.

Team description and individual biography

Samuel Hulsey is the Team Lead of ResponseWing, a startup focused on building 3D mapping UAVs for search and rescue operations. As a Nationally Registered EMT working in the Duke University Emergency Department in North Carolina, he brings a wealth of frontline experience to the team. His passion for ensuring the safety of first responders in hazardous environments drives the innovative development of UAVs equipped with onboard SLAM software and advanced 3D mapping capabilities.