Battling Against August Floods, BracU Students Rise with Rescue Rover

September 10, 2024 Ramisha Islam Rodela

In the wake of the unprecedented August flood crisis in Bangladesh, students of Brac University stood firm by the people, contributing through voluntary efforts as well as creating innovative rescue rovers for delivering vital relief to affected areas. Two different robots by Team Atlas including Code Black and ‘Nabik Automations’ collaborating with Robotics Club of BRAC University were successfully deployed in rescuing and delivering relief aid respectively in Cumilla’s Narayanpur Border and Feni.

Code Black's rescue rover — Code Black’s rescue rover

With a capacity of 120kg, equipped to charge up to 20 phones simultaneously as well as carry medical supplies, foods, and the facility to execute emergency radio transmissions are the key features of the rescue robot made by Team Atlas and their all girls team Code Black. Using FPV camera for sensing instantaneously, solar panels for alternately charging the robot and the successful deployment in Comilla proved its ability to support both communication and logistical needs in crisis situations.

Team Code Black during rescue operations

The students who were from BracU in both the teams were the team lead of ‘Team Atlas’ Sunny Jubayer (Junior, CSE), Code Black’s team lead Jannatul Ferdous Fabin (Junior, CSE), Nusrat Zahan Sinha( Fresher, Biotech), Ezhar Hossain Ifty (Fresher, EEE), Ziya Mohammad Sayef Ullah (Sophomore, EEE) along with Mostakim Rahman, Trisha Pal worked assiduously with their heart and soul to reach this outcome.

Another rover, two-foot-long remote controlled boat ‘Nabik’ with a 60 kg capacity was designed to transfer essential supplies like 7-8 life jackets, processed foods and deliver other much-needed relief to those in need swiftly. It can perform approximately in 2 Km, collecting data from its FPV camera along with a microphone for capturing current circumstances and communication.

Team Nabik's rescue rover — Team Nabik’s rescue rover]

Some students of BRACU are working on this project guided by Adil Hossain (Alumnus). The on spot operation was handled by 5 contributors, the founder of ‘Nabik’, Fardeen Khan (Junior, EEE) and Mashruzzaman Saad (Junior, CSE) alongside Saqlain Chowdhury (Junior, EEE), Fariyan Shah Fahi (Junior, EEE), Bhuban Mazumder (Sophomore, CSE) with the support of Miftahul Babui (Junior, EEE), Auhon Rahman (Junior, CSE).