Maker Gyan Kalra has developed a 3D-printable search-and-rescue drone called “Heatseeker” designed to be affordable and easily repairable. The drone provides live video feed in both visible light and infrared spectra, potentially helping locate survivors in disaster situations. It can also be used to deliver lightweight supplies, guide survivors to safety, and conduct aerial scanning of affected areas.
“Search and Rescue drones are a life saving technology for disaster response, as they can provide real-time information, deliver supplies, and help locate survivors in inaccessible areas,” Kalra explains. “Unfortunately, commercial SAR drones are often expensive and hard to repair.”
The Heatseeker is built using accessible components including a SpeedyBee F405 V4 flight controller stack, HGLRC M100 5883 GNSS receiver, and SpeedyBee TX800 video transmitter. Its vision system features a Runcam Night Eagle 3v2 camera that can operate in both full color in good lighting and black-and-white night vision mode under infrared illumination. The design supports cameras with a width of 19mm and can be expanded to include infrared thermal imaging capabilities.
The 3D-printed chassis allows for easy repairs and modifications, making it more accessible for search and rescue teams with limited budgets. The drone’s thermal imaging upgrade potential would enable it to detect warm bodies through smoke and fog, enhancing its rescue capabilities.
Full documentation for the Heatseeker project is available on Instructables. The project demonstrates how 3D printing technology can be applied to create functional tools for emergency response situations.
Source: hackster.io