A novel wearable instrumentation system for bomb disposal suits

John Kemp*, Elena I. Gaura, James Brusey

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Bomb disposal suits contain a large amount of padding and armour to protect the wearer's vital organs in the case of explosion. The combination of the heavy (roughly 40kg) suit, physical exertion, and the environment in which these suits are worn can cause the wearer's temperature to rise to uncomfortable and potentially dangerous levels during missions. This paper reports on the development of a wearable wireless sensing system suitable for deployment in such manned bomb disposal missions. In its final form, the system will be capable of making in-network autonomous decisions related to the actuation of cooling within the suit, in order to increase the comfort of the wearer. In addition, it will allow an external observer to remotely monitor the health and comfort of the operative. Laboratory experiments with the instrumented suit show how skin temperature varies differently for different skin sites, motivating the need for multiple, distributed sensing. The need for timely application of in-suit cooling is also shown, as well as the importance of monitoring the overall health of the wearer of the suit.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationInformatics in Control, Automation and Robotics
Subtitle of host publicationSelected Papers from the International Conference on Informatics in Control, Automation and Robotics 2008
EditorsJohn Kemp, Elena I. Gaura, James Brusey
Place of PublicationBerlin
PublisherSpringer, Springer Nature
Pages241-253
Number of pages13
ISBN (Electronic)9783642002717
ISBN (Print)9783642002700
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009
Event5th International Conference on Informatics in Control Automation and Robotics, ICINCO 2008 - Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
Duration: 11 May 200815 May 2008

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Electrical Engineering
PublisherSpringer Berlin Heidelberg
Volume37
ISSN (Print)1876-1100
ISSN (Electronic)1876-1119

Other

Other5th International Conference on Informatics in Control Automation and Robotics, ICINCO 2008
Country/TerritoryPortugal
CityFunchal, Madeira
Period11/05/0815/05/08

Keywords

  • actuation
  • Body sensor networks
  • first responders

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