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DisasterX: An IoT-Based Robotic Rover with ESP32-CAM for Real-Time Disaster Intervention

Students & Supervisors

Student Authors
Md Anjir Jaman
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science & Engineering, FST
Koushik Biswas Arko
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science & Engineering, FST
Hasibul Islam
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science & Engineering, FST
Sadia Afrin
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science & Engineering, FACULTY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Supervisors
Md. Mortuza Ahmmed
Associate Professor, Faculty, FST
Bishwajit Banik Pathik
Assistant Professor, Faculty, FE

Abstract

Research Area This research project is rooted in the fields of IoT-based robotics, disaster management technology, and embedded systems. It focuses on a robotic intervention system designed for real-time operation in hazardous and inaccessible disaster environments. Objectives The developed robotic rover has been designed to perform remote navigation, live surveillance, and light object handling in collapsed or dangerous zones. It is intended to assist in search-and-rescue efforts, conduct real-time inspections, and deliver emergency supplies in a cost-effective IoT-controlled environment operated through an Arduino Uno. Methodology The rover has been built on a custom 4-wheel chassis and equipped with an ESP32-CAM module to enable live video streaming. A servo-powered robotic arm has been attached for removing obstacles, performing scheduled tasks, and managing small payloads. Wireless communication and control are established via Wi-Fi. Movement, feedback, and operations are managed using various sensor modules and motor drivers. A simplified block diagram of the system architecture and an image of the bot are provided below. Figure 1: Block Diagram Figure 2: DisasterX Results and Analysis In early trails conducted in mock debris fields, the bot demonstrated reliable navigation, effective object handling, and real-time video transmission. A stable video stream of 10–15 FPS at 480p resolution was maintained through the ESP32-CAM, with control executed via a mobile interface. Lightweight objects were successfully lifted by the robotic arm. The total cost remained under $200, indicating strong potential for scalability. However, certain limitations were observed, such as a limited video feed range of approximately 15 meters, occasional Wi-Fi signal interference, and reduced movement precision over uneven terrain. References [1] V. M, S. K, and A. A, “Design and Implementation of an IoT-Enabled Rover with ESP32 CAM for Object Detection, Environmental Monitoring, and Web-Based Control,” in 2025 International Conference on Multi-Agent Systems for Collaborative Intelligence (ICMSCI), Jan. 2025, pp. 457–465. doi: 10.1109/ICMSCI62561.2025.10894020. [2] P. E, V. V. Priya, N. G, and D. D, “IoT Integrated Smart Rover System for Disaster Relief Management”, in 2024 2nd International Conference on Sustainable Computing and Smart Systems (ICSCSS), Jul. 2024, pp. 443–447. doi: 10.1109/ICSCSS60660.2024.10625567. [3] H. S. Pramono, V. G. A. Hakim, and F. Alfianto, “IoT-Based Disaster Response Robot for Victim Identification in Building Collapses,” JNTE, pp. 51–59, Mar. 2024, doi: 10.25077/jnte.v13n1.1191.2024.

Keywords

IoT Robotics Disaster Surveillance Arduino

Publication Details

  • Type of Publication: Conference 
  • Conference Name: IEEE CS BDC Summer Symposium 2025
  • Date of Conference: 18/07/2025 - 18/07/2025
  • Venue: Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU), Dinajpur
  • Organizer: Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering
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