Projected needs for robot-assisted chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) incidents

This report projects the need for unmanned aerial and ground vehicles to assist with a response to a hazardous material incident, also called chemical biological radiological or nuclear (CBRN) events. The projected needs for the identification and containment phases were determined by a preliminary cognitive work analysis of CBRN response based on concept experimentation with 20 domain experts using a small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to investigate a simulated chemical train derailment, lessons learned from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear emergency, and an examination of the hazardous material response literature. The analysis answers “who?,” “what?,” “when?,” “where?” and “how?” robots can assist with CBRN. The analysis and experience leads to a set of “desirements,” that is idealized capabilities that responders expressed interest in or address known shortcomings, and concerns or comments about existing unmanned aerial and ground systems. The report is expected to be of use for developers in tailoring systems for the anticipated needs and adoption pattern of responders.