AETHER:

Swarm Drones For

Search And Rescue
Aswin Daniel
Balasubramaniam Hickman
Electrical Engineering Technology, 2019 Information Technology, 2020

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Business Model Canvas
The one where we grab your attention
 Key Partners
- Cincinnati Fire
Departments
-FAA agency
- Police Departments
- Federal Departments
(DoD, Homeland Security)
Customer Segments
- Cincinnati fire
departments/first
responders.
- Private agencies
involved in search and
rescue.
Key Activities
- Aid in search and rescue.
- Research in swarm robotics.
- Lobby for policy change.
- Training and certifying
pilots.
Key Resources
- Research and development
team.
- 3D printed Nano drones will
be used as the swarm, and
custom multi-rotor drones
will be used as the main
drone.
- Initial market survey.
Value Proposition
- Reduces time in search and
rescue
- Deploys quickly from
vehicle
- Covers a large area in a
single flight
- Flies over difficult terrain
- Does not endanger
rescuers
- Reads footage to find areas
of interest
- Identifies human heat
signatures
- More economical than
helicopters
- Follows flight plan without
pilot intervention
Customer
Relationships
- Interactions to discuss
compatibility and
requirements to meet
needs of customer, during
pre-development phase.
- Assistance, and updating
technology as per customer
feedback.
Channels
- Drone/UAV industry
conferences.
- State departments
- University
- Local companies involved
in search and rescue
- Media outreach and
publicity.

Cost Structure Revenue Streams

- Initial investments to build the prototype - Selling drones & maintenance contracts with companies
- Research and development - Fund raisers, government aids, and grants from NSF.
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- Manpower cost. - Investments by companies. Shares in return for investment.
Value Proposition
The one where we sell the product
It’s all about saving lives!
How swarm drones assist in search and rescue:

Reduce time in search and rescue Can map out the terrain

Deploys quickly from vehicle Can identify human heat signatures

Swarm recharges in the air Identifies areas of interest

Flies over difficult terrain Real time streaming from drone

Covers a large area in a single flight Does not endanger the lives of rescuers

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Customer Discovery
What we learned
How We Reached
Out
● Over-the-phone conversations
● Email responses
● What we asked:
○ Open ended questions such
as: What features you would
want to see in a swarm
drone solution?
○ Some of these specific
questions -->
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Larry Bennett
● Program Chair of UC Fire Science & Emergency Management
● Works in hazmat
● Former DC cop
● Lawyer for 40 years

● First person we contacted

● Lead us to other people
● Pointed out how UAVs are a potential threat

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James “Doug” Daniels
● Is the in-house expert on UAVs for the Ohio Attorney General’s
Office
● Teaches courses to police officers
● Key features:
○ Automatic, flying grid pattern
○ Long battery life (recharge at mother drone)
○ Infrared camera
● Things to consider:
○ Ability to deploy in inclement weather
○ Ability to carry around for fast deployment
○ How long to keep the footage? (for monetary reasons)
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Randall Hanifen
● Captain of the West Chester Township Fire Department
● Deals with search and rescue across the county

● Responded through email

● Key features:
○ Thermal imaging
○ Mapping area
○ Determining human heat signature

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Economic Model
How we will make $$$
Assumptions
● Available commercial UAV market:
$6.4 billion
● Market available for search and
rescue drone: (estimate $1 million
funding per organization): $60
million; Approximately 60
government organizations currently
present dedicated for search and
rescue operations.
● Target market: $1 million, for the
state of Ohio.

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 First 3 Years Investments
Electronics Motors $100 Heli Pal
For the main drone system:
Batteries $600 MaxAmos Batteries

Component Cost Source Flight Controller $1,500 DJI

Drone Body Frame $50 Hobby King Guidance Tool $1,000 DJI

Landing Gear $50 Drone Nerds Electronic Speed $100 DJI

Control
Propellers $10 Drone Nerds
High Resolution $1,700 DJI
Propeller $20 Drone Nerds Camera
Guards
Custom $600 Custom
Camera Mount $100 DJI Controller

Total $5,830

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 First 3 Years Investments
For the nano drone system:
Component Cost Source

Drone Body 3D Printer $2,500 Maker Bot

ABS Plastic $50 Matter Hackers

Electronics Integrated Flight Controller $50 Max Amps

Small Camera $30 Get FPV

Battery $10 Adafruit

Recharging Circuit $20 Custom

Total $2,660

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 First 3 Years Investments
For the ground system: Component Cost Source

Remote Controller $500 DJI

iPad $600 Apple

Wireless Transmitter $300 DJI

Touchscreen Monitor $50 Amazon

Small Form Factor PC $500 Lenovo

Custom Pelican Box $200 Pelican Cases

Total $2,150

Grand total for the system: $10,640 Total for R&D and Customer Support: $1 million

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Revenue Generation
● Generate interest for the platform during
conferences.
● Apply for NSF funding, government aids. research
grants, and fundraisers.
● Renting the device.
● Utilize platforms like Kickstarter, and GoFundMe.

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Return on Investment
For the customer For the company
● Not putting the lives of ● Selling product to:
rescuers in danger. ○ Fire departments
● Saving lives quickly. ○ State search and rescue
● Long term costs for ○ Private search and rescue
maintaining drones are ● Future markets:
less than helicopters.
○ Federal
● Continued support for
○ International
software and hardware
upgrades.
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Thanks!
Any questions?

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