MIT researchers have unveiled a new tool for navigating disaster zones: the Soft Pathfinding Robotic Observation Unit, or SPROUT.
The SPROUT team developed a custom simulation environment to render locations the robot could be tasked with navigating. Image Credit: Courtesy of the researchers from MIT
This flexible, inflatable robot is designed to thread its way through collapsed buildings, providing rescuers with eyes and sensors in places too dangerous or narrow for humans or traditional machines. SPROUT can currently extend up to 10 feet, with future models aiming for 25, maneuvering around rubble and debris to relay critical information about trapped victims and safe paths for entry.
Its soft, vine-like structure makes it especially suited to unstable environments, where rigid robots often struggle or break. By offering a safer and more adaptable approach, SPROUT could help speed up rescue missions when every second counts.
Why This Matters
Urban search-and-rescue missions—whether after earthquakes, tsunamis, or structural collapses—are notoriously hazardous and time-sensitive. The environments are unpredictable, and traditional tools often fall short. Rigid robots can’t navigate tight spaces, and static cameras provide limited visibility. Worse still, these devices are expensive and difficult to repair if damaged in the field.
SPROUT was developed to solve these problems. A joint effort between MIT Lincoln Laboratory and the University of Notre Dame, the robot takes a completely different approach. It consists of a soft, inflatable fabric tube that extends from the tip when filled with air—essentially “growing” into the space ahead. Controlled via a joystick and equipped with a camera at the tip, SPROUT gives operators real-time visual access to areas that would otherwise remain hidden.
Early testing with Massachusetts Task Force 1 has shown promising results, offering a glimpse at how SPROUT could improve both speed and safety in future rescue operations.
How It Works
SPROUT’s design is both simple and clever. The robot inflates from a fixed base, pushing itself forward into debris like a growing plant vine. Along its length, three pouch motors enable it to flex and curve, giving it the agility to navigate around tight corners and through narrow gaps—places rigid robots simply can't go. An internal reel system allows it to be compactly stored and precisely deployed as needed.
Navigation is handled through an intuitive joystick interface, and a camera mounted on the tip streams live video back to the operator. The team has already tackled key engineering challenges, such as reducing friction during extension and developing fine-tuned pressure controls for accurate maneuvering.
The fundamental way a vine robot works mitigates a lot of the challenges that other platforms face in these brutal environments.
Chad Council, A Member of the SPROUT Team
By moving carefully through debris before any human sets foot inside, SPROUT helps first responders assess risks without exposing themselves to unnecessary danger.
How a Flexible Robot Helps Find Survivors Inside Collapsed Buildings
Sensing What Can't Be Seen
SPROUT isn't just about movement—it’s also about insight. In disaster zones, rescuers often have no clear understanding of the layout inside collapsed structures. To address this, the team has developed specialized algorithms and simulation tools that use SPROUT’s sensor data to map internal void spaces in real time.
We’re rethinking how sensors can enhance situational awareness for rescue teams.
Nathaniel Hanson, Project Lead
As SPROUT advances, new versions will include more sophisticated cameras and inertial measurement units to detect structural hazards and signs of survivors more effectively.
Looking Ahead
SPROUT offers a compelling alternative to traditional disaster response tools. Its soft, adaptable design helps it reach places other robots can’t, and its data-gathering capabilities give rescue teams a clearer picture of what they’re facing. While still in development, the technology is already showing strong potential—not just for urban search-and-rescue, but for any scenario that requires exploring confined or unstable spaces.
This collaboration between MIT Lincoln Laboratory and the University of Notre Dame is a powerful example of how robotics can be purpose-built for real-world impact. With continued refinement, SPROUT may soon become a vital part of rescue teams' toolkits, helping save lives in the moments that matter most.
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Source:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology.