AI Project for Disaster Response from Auburn Engineering Researchers

Yin Sun, Shiwen Mao, and David Roueche from Auburn University are involved in the $4.8 million National Science Foundation-funded HEIDRA project, which combines artificial intelligence and wireless communication technologies with disaster response operations. Led by Purdue University, Auburn has been allocated $653,000 for three years.

The Heterogeneous Edge Intelligence for Disaster Response Analytics (HEIDRA) project aims to ensure first responders can access vital data under restricted or unreliable communication conditions in disaster zones. Project co-principal investigator and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Associate Professor Yin Sun is developing importance-based networking technologies that will enable the transmission of critical information despite limited power and spectrum resources.

Serving as key personnel on the project, Shiwen Mao leads efforts to develop energy-efficient communication technologies that will keep emergency teams connected. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Associate Professor David Roueche serves on the project's disaster response and stakeholder advisory board, contributing expertise on the resistance of structures to storm damage.

Conducted in collaboration with Purdue University, the University of Virginia, Saab, and Nokia, the HEIDRA project will be tested through field exercises at the Indiana National Guard Muscatatuck Training Center.