The National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), is actively evaluating robotic technologies to enhance public safety missions. These unmanned systems, including aerial, ground, and underwater vehicles, are transforming incident response for police, firefighters, and search and rescue teams by making operations safer and more effective.
Through its System Assessment and Validation for Emergency Responders (SAVER) program, NUSTL conducts mission-focused evaluations. Its Blue Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) assessment reports provide independent reviews of cybersecure drone platforms. Kris Dooley, the assessment’s test director, said, "Aspects of UAS operations like command-and-control link quality and latency are impacted by the operating environment, so it was crucial for us to test the platforms in rural, urban, and complex urban locations." Experienced responders flew the drones in realistic scenarios to rate performance. NUSTL also published "Small Unmanned Aircraft System Program Documentation for Public Safety: Recommendations and Templates" to guide agencies in building or strengthening their UAS programs.
Ground-based robots are also being assessed for their ability to enhance first responder capabilities, particularly in challenging environments. NUSTL’s “Multifunctional Unmanned Ground Vehicles for Emergency Response Assessment Report” evaluated three systems in scenarios such as victim identification, hazardous materials response, and building collapse reconnaissance. These findings offer practical insights into how ground robotics can accelerate response times and protect personnel.
Expanding into maritime robotics, NUSTL recently completed a market survey report on Unmanned Underwater Vehicles for First Responders. These systems are being considered for missions in flooded or submerged areas, shorelines, and ports, where deploying human divers could pose significant risks. NUSTL plans further UAS testing, including on Drone as First Responder technologies, to continue providing agencies with the information needed to select appropriate tools and develop robust programs.