AI-Powered Voice-Activated Emergency & Disaster Rescue

System Using UWB, Thermal Imaging, and LoRa

Communication

Abstract—Disaster scenarios such as earthquakes, floods, communication for long-range, network-independent alert
and landslides require rapid and efficient rescue operations. transmission.
This paper presents an AI-powered voice-activated
emergency and disaster rescue system integrating Ultra-
Wideband (UWB), thermal imaging, and LoRa
communication for real-time survivor detection. UWB
technology detects human presence behind obstacles using
micro-movements, while thermal cameras identify heat
signatures in low-visibility conditions. A voice recognition
module enables survivors to trigger automated alerts, and
LoRa ensures communication in network-deprived areas.
Integrated with drones, the system enhances large-scale
search efficiency, reducing response time and increasing
survival chances.

Keywords – UWB, Thermal Imaging, LoRa, AI Voice

Detection, Disaster Rescue, Emergency System, Drone
Search.

I. INTRODUCTION

Natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and

landslides pose serious challenges in locating and rescuing
trapped individuals. Traditional search and rescue operations rely
heavily on manual efforts, making them time-consuming and less
efficient in large-scale disasters. In such critical situations,
technology-driven solutions can significantly enhance the
effectiveness of rescue missions.

This project proposes an AI-powered emergency response

system that utilizes a combination of UWB, thermal imaging,
and LoRa communication to detect survivors, enable real-time
distress signalling, and ensure network-independent
communication. The system is designed to be deployed on
drones and ground units, providing a comprehensive disaster
rescue solution. By integrating voice recognition, real-time
data processing, and autonomous drone navigation, the
system enhances the speed and accuracy of survivor detection,
ultimately improving rescue success rates.

II. RELATED WORK

Various disaster rescue technologies exist, including

drone-based thermal imaging and sensor-based detection
systems. However, these methods often lack real-time
communication in network-deprived environments and
precision in locating survivors behind obstacles. This system
enhances existing approaches by integrating UWB for through-
wall detection, AI-powered voice recognition, and LoRa
 III. SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE

Components Used:

 UWB Transmitter & Receiver(DWM1000)

– Detects survivors behind walls/debris.
 Thermal Camera – Identifies heat
signatures of trapped individuals.
 Voice Recognition Module – Activates rescue
alerts via voice commands.
 LoRa Communication Module –
Transmits SOS messages without cellular
networks.
 Drone Integration – Expands search area and
enables aerial scanning.
 Microcontroller (Arduino Mega 2560) –
Processes data and controls alerts.
 Buzzer & SOS Lights – Alerts nearby rescuers.
 Solar Panel (12V–18V, 10–50W depending on load)

IV. PROPOSED WORK & EXISTING WORK

A. Existing Work

Current emergency response systems

primarily rely on mobile-based applications, GPS
tracking, and manual intervention to send
distress signals. These systems often depend on
stable network connectivity, which can be
disrupted in disaster scenarios. Additionally,
existing solutions include basic voice- activated
alerts integrated into security systems, but they
lack advanced AI processing to differentiate
between normal and emergency phrases. Some
surveillance systems use motion detection and
CCTV cameras, but these require constant
monitoring and human oversight. Furthermore,
traditional search-and- rescue operations depend
on manual searches or radio signals, which may
not effectively locate individuals in complex
environments like collapsed buildings or flood
zones. While drones have been implemented in
some rescue operations, they usually lack
autonomous emergency detection capabilities
and thermal imaging for detecting survivors in
low-visibility conditions. This project aims to
overcome these limitations by integrating AI,
UWB, LoRa, and drone-based surveillance into a
unified and automated emergency response
framework.
 rescue missions, reducing dependency on conventional
power sources.
B. Proposed Work

This project introduces a novel AI-driven emergency

response system that leverages advanced technologies to improve V. IMPLEMENTATION & WORKING
real-time disaster management. The proposed system consists of
multiple components, each contributing to efficient rescue The AI-Powered Voice-Activated Emergency
operations. The AI-powered voice detection module ensures that System integrates advanced technologies to enhance disaster
distress calls are accurately identified even in noisy response. The system employs an AI-driven voice
environments. This is supported by a robust signal processing recognition module that continuously monitors ambient
mechanism that filters background noise and enhances the clarity sounds to detect distress calls. Upon recognizing an
of voice inputs. The system incorporates Ultra-Wideband (UWB) emergency phrase, the system activates Ultra-Wideband
technology to locate survivors trapped under debris, enabling (UWB) sensors to accurately locate individuals, even
rescue teams to determine their exact position. Additionally, the through obstacles. Simultaneously, the system utilizes LoRa
LoRa communication protocol is employed to ensure data communication modules to transmit alerts and location data
transmission in remote locations where traditional network to emergency responders, ensuring connectivity in areas with
coverage is unavailable. limited network coverage. Drones equipped with thermal
imaging cameras are deployed to provide real-time aerial
assessments, identifying heat signatures indicative of human
presence. The integration of GPS modules ensures precise
tracking of affected individuals and responders. To maintain
continuous operation during power outages, the system
incorporates a solar panel backup power supply, reducing
reliance on conventional energy sources. All data, including
audio and video feeds, are securely stored in the cloud,
allowing authorized personnel to access and analyze
information promptly. This cohesive integration of AI, IoT,
and drone technologies facilitates a rapid and efficient
emergency response, significantly improving the chances of
saving lives during disasters.

VI. FUTURE WORK

To enhance emergency response efficiency, the The future enhancements of the AI-powered
proposed system integrates drones equipped with thermal emergency response system aim to improve efficiency,
imaging cameras. These drones autonomously navigate disaster- accuracy, and real-time disaster management capabilities.
hit areas, identifying individuals based on their heat signatures. One significant improvement will be the integration of 5G
GPS modules within the system continuously update the location technology for faster data transmission, ensuring low-
of affected individuals, transmitting their coordinates to latency communication and real-time streaming of high-
emergency services. Furthermore, the system supports both quality video from drones. This will enhance situational
online and offline SOS alerts, ensuring that emergency messages awareness for rescue teams, enabling quicker response
reach responders regardless of network conditions. All recorded times. Additionally, the system can be upgraded with
video and audio data are securely stored in the cloud, providing advanced AI models capable of recognizing gestures and
real-time access to rescue teams for analysis. The automation and facial expressions alongside voice commands. This multi-
integration of AI, IoT, and UWB technologies make the modal AI approach will be particularly beneficial in
proposed system highly reliable and efficient for disaster extreme environments where voice recognition may be
management. Additionally, a solar panel backup power system hindered by background noise or physical limitations.
will be integrated to ensure continuous operation during extended Another key area of development is the use of edge
computing to process data locally, reducing dependency on
cloud servers and improving response speed.
 VII. CONCLUSION

The AI-powered emergency response system

presents an innovative and technologically advanced solution for
real-time disaster management. By integrating AI-driven voice
recognition, ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, LoRa-based
communication, GPS tracking, and drone-based thermal imaging,  T. Lachat, H. Merminod, and S. Landes,
the system enhances the efficiency and accuracy of rescue “Assessment of UAV photogrammetric mapping
operations. The incorporation of solar power ensures continuous accuracy based on thermal and visible images,”
functionality, making it reliable even in extended disaster ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote
scenarios. The ability to operate both online and offline, along Sensing, vol. 123, pp. 158– 173, 2017.
with cloud storage for real-time data access, significantly
improves emergency response efforts.  S.Mallick, D. Ghose, and T. Bandyopadhyay,
“Autonomous drone-based search and rescue in
This project addresses the limitations of traditional emergency disaster-affected areas: A survey,” IEEE Access,
systems by offering an autonomous and intelligent approach to vol.10,pp.23756–23778,2022.
detecting, locating, and assisting disaster victims. The
implementation of AI and IoT-based technologies minimizes
human intervention while maximizing response efficiency. The
proposed system holds great potential for future enhancements,
including 5G connectivity, edge computing, swarm drones, and
blockchain security, further solidifying its role in emergency
management. With continued research and technological
advancements, this system can be expanded for global
deployment, making disaster response more effective and life-
saving operations more accessible

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