A hydrogen-electric powered VTOL emergency response vehicle to get to emergencies in harsh environments or with extreme road conditions. Shorter response times and an efficient comfortable environment for paramedics.
Natural disasters, rough or obstructed roads and terrain cause ambulances difficulty and delay their response. In instances where the scene is inaccessible via an ambulance, heavy medical bags must be carried on foot by responders. When natural disasters stretch far or emergency resources are depleted results in life-saving medical equipment becoming limited or unavailable in situations where it is necessary. This provides an opportunity to design a solution that can reduce the response time for paramedics when conditions restrict the efficiency of an ambulance.
This project aimed to develop a nuanced understanding of the current functionality of emergency response vehicles operating in harsh environments and extreme road conditions and to consider the advantages and disadvantages of various emergency response equipment.
A review of the medical equipment, vehicles and response strategies used by paramedics in emergencies was undertaken and informed the design to help reduce the response time for paramedics arriving at emergencies while allowing the paramedics to work in an efficient, comfortable manner.
Micro-mobility, medical equipment, response vehicles, and response processes were key areas of exploration during research to define the problem. With consultation from paramedics, flight medics, search and rescuers, nurses, and automotive designers, solutions and design ideas were formed. Through these discussions, it was agreed that a flying vehicle would be the best solution as it has the most potential to reduce response time.
DR1 is a hydrogen-electric powered VTOL emergency response vehicle, which is highly efficient, environmentally sustainable and user-friendly. DR1 produces significantly less emissions than its air ambulance counterparts. Compared to the BK117 (common ambulance helicopter), DR1’s electric motor allows a more efficient response due to the shorter start-up time. Utilising a smaller footprint than the BK117, DR1 features a more spacious and specialised interior, allowing a 50th percentile height female to stand up and move around freely inside. DR1’s adaptive landing gear allows the vehicle to stay level on landing despite irregular terrain. When a patient recovery via land is inaccessible, DR1’s airborne winching system enables patients to be lifted up on the gurney through the trap door, while the paramedics winch themselves down out of the side doors.
The operating system is almost fully autonomous, similar to the Xpeng flying car, meaning there is no requirement for an experienced pilot and the vehicle can be operated solely by the paramedics. Adjustable seats on either side of the gurney slide along a linear rail, allowing ease of access while tending to patients and for the paramedic to always be safely seated while flying. The rail also features a side table which allows for rapid access to medical equipment. The rear of the vehicle provides storage holds for medical equipment on both sides, enabling gear access from inside the vehicle when flying, but also from the rear, when the boot is open
and the loading ramp in use. When not in operation, DR1’s wings retract to minimise storage space and maximise the potential for storing multiple vehicles in a smaller area.
See the video here
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