Search-and-Rescue Algorithm: Detecting Access Holes in Disaster Rubble

Soon after our species began constructing buildings thousands of years ago we also had to start dealing with our homes and other buildings collapsing – whether the result of natural forces such as earthquakes or typhoons, or the effect of human causes such as sabotage, warfare or just plain shoddy workmanship. A grave consequence of structural collapse is the fact that people often find themselves trapped and injured within rubble, all too often dying before they can be found and extricated.