Bomb Squads Gather for Workshop at the University of South Florida

Newswise — Bomb-squad robot handling and maintenance is the subject of a three-day day workshop at the University of South Florida, beginning Nov. 15.

Approximately 46 members of law enforcement agencies, including the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and the FBI, are expected to attend. The event, organized by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, is hosted by USF's Institute for Safety Security Rescue Technology.

During the workshop, bomb squad teams will be trained in the latest practices and techniques related to the use and maintenance of the sophisticated robots. According to the National Strategic Plan for U.S. Bomb Squads, all accredited law enforcement bomb-squad teams must use robots by 2009.

"This is an excellent opportunity for members of law enforcement to interact directly with members of the USF technologies in the field of homeland security," said Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee. "Since 9/11, it has become even more important that law enforcement keep up with the latest trends in technology in the fight against crime and keeping our community safe."

The workshop's primary purpose is to immediately enhance the use, handling and effectiveness of bomb-squad robots. But there is also a second goal: USF scientists will have a unique opportunity to observe bomb-squad robots and law enforcement personnel working together.

Jenny Burke, a USF researcher who identifies ways that robots can be used more effectively, noted that the partnering of university scientists with real-world users is rare.

"As scientists, we usually don't have access to officers working on the front lines," she said. "Being able to team with Tampa Bay agencies such as HCSO allows us to learn from the real experts about what is needed in hardware, software, and training."

Lessons learned from observing the bomb squad teams and their robots are expected to lead to advances in artificial intelligence to make the robots easier to use, as well as the design of more reliable networks, and even new robotic sensors.

The Institute for Safety Security Rescue Technology (iSSRt) at USF is dedicated to intelligent information technologies for homeland security. iSSRt hosts the Center for Robot-Assisted Search and Rescue (CRASAR) which was responsible for introducing small ground-mobile robots into emergency response at the World Trade Center site in 2001. CRASAR has led the effort to use robotic aerial and sea vehicles for hurricane response. USF has pioneered sensor, robot, public health and information technology development and applications, and the use of robots for emergency response and preparedness.