Robin R. Murphy – The Conversation

The landscape in the aftermath of a flood makes it challenging to spot victims. AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

July 16, 2025

Why drones and AI can’t quickly find missing flood victims, yet

Robin R. Murphy, Texas A&M University and Thomas Manzini, Texas A&M University

It might seem like an obvious move to deploy drones to help look for flood victims, but floods pose unique challenges that stymie the technology.

A drone flies above search and rescue personnel at the site of the Champlain Towers South Condo building collapse in Surfside, Florida. AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee

June 30, 2021

An expert on search and rescue robots explains the technologies used in disasters like the Florida condo collapse

Robin R. Murphy, Texas A&M University

At building collapse sites, aerial drones and ground robots can extend the eyes and ears of search and rescue personnel to places people can’t go – above and inside the rubble pile.

A nurse (left) operates a robot used to interact remotely with coronavirus patients while a physician looks on. MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images

April 22, 2020

Robots are playing many roles in the coronavirus crisis – and offering lessons for future disasters

Robin R. Murphy, Texas A&M University; Justin Adams, Florida State University, and Vignesh Babu Manjunath Gandudi, Texas A&M University

Robots are helping health care workers and public safety officials more safely and quickly treat coronavirus patients and contain the pandemic. They have something in common: They’re tried and tested.

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