Evaluating UAVs for Humanitarian Response

The Humanitarian UAV Network is carrying out an evaluation of UAVs and related technologies for use in humanitarian settings. The related technologies being evaluated include cameras, payload units, image processing & analysis software. As a first step, we have created an evaluation framework based on parameters relevant for field-based deployments of UAVs by humanitarian organizations. Before moving to the next step in the evaluation—identifying which UAVs and related technologies to evaluate—we want to make sure that we’re on the right track as far as our evaluation framework goes. So the purpose of this blog post is to seek feedback on said framework.

To recap, we are evaluating four distinct technologies: 1) UAVs; 2) Cameras; 3) Payload units; and 4) Image Processing & Analysis Software specifically for humanitarian use. So below are the evaluation criteria we have identified for each technology.

UAVs: Type, Cost, Size, Weight, Appearance, Noise Factor, Durability, Ease of Use, Ease of Repair, Payload Capacity, Flight Time, Transmitter Range,  Autonomy, Camera/Gimbal Compatibility and Legality/Customs.

Most of the parameters are self-explanatory but a few require some elaboration. Type refers to whether the UAV is a fixed-wing, rotary-wing or a hybrid. Appearance seeks to evaluate whether the UAV airframe looks threatening or more like a toy, for example. Autonomy refers to whether the UAV can be flown autonomously. Legality/Customs seeks to assess whether the transportation of the UAV across borders is likely to be easy or challenging.

Cameras: Cost, Size, Weight, Megapixels, Memory, Control, Durability, Easy of Use, Ease of Repair, Lens Type and Gimbal Compatibility.

Payload Units: Cost, Size, Weight, Type of Release Mechanism, Release Mechanism, Ease of Use and Ease of Repair.

Image Software: Cost, Image Processing, Image Analysis, Ease of Use, System Requirements, Compatibility and Type of License.

We need to make sure that we fill any gaps in our evaluation criteria before proceeding with the assessment. So what parameters are we missing?

See Also:

• Welcome to the Humanitarian UAV Network [link]
• How UAVs are Making a Difference in Disaster Response [link]
• Humanitarians Using UAVs for Post Disaster Recovery [link]
• Grassroots UAVs for Disaster Response [link]
• Using UAVs for Search & Rescue [link]
• Debrief: UAV/Drone Search & Rescue Challenge [link]
• Crowdsourcing Analysis of UAV Imagery for Search/Rescue [link]
• Check-List for Flying UAVs in Humanitarian Settings [link]