Pulchowk Campus Students Design Autonomous Boat That Maps Rivers and Detects Underwater Objects for Disaster Rescue Operations

जेठ ११, २०८३ १४:४९

Kathmandu. In the aftermath of recurring flood and landslide disasters in Nepal, including the 12 July 2024 Simaltal tragedy in Chitwan, where two passenger buses went missing in the Trishuli River with 62 passengers on board, a group of engineering students from Pulchowk Campus has developed an unmanned boat designed to support search and rescue operations and disaster management.

The Simaltal tragedy, where several passengers remain missing despite weeks of search efforts involving divers and assistance from India, highlights the growing need for advanced technological tools in Nepal’s disaster response systems, according to experts.

In response to such challenges, four final-year Mechanical Engineering students: Siddhant Yadav, Rudip Shrestha, Hemkala Awasthi, and Regal Ghimire, have jointly developed an “Autonomous Bathymetry and Underwater Detection Unmanned Water System.” The project was initiated following an agreement between Pulchowk Campus and the Armed Police Force to develop disaster-response technologies.

According to Dr. Sudip Bhattarai, head of the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department at Pulchowk Campus, the prototype has already been successfully tested in multiple locations. “First, we tested it in Pimbahal Pond in Lalitpur, followed by successful trials at Taudaha and Kulekhani,” he said. The system is currently undergoing further testing in river environments in coordination with the Armed Police Force.

How does it work?

The unmanned boat is capable of operating without onboard personnel or manual remote control. Once a route is pre-programmed via computer, the boat navigates autonomously and collects data at specified points before returning automatically.

The system integrates sonar and LiDAR technologies. The sonar, installed beneath the boat, emits sound waves underwater to detect depth and submerged objects, generating detailed bathymetric maps of riverbeds and water bodies. Meanwhile, LiDAR is used to map surface topography above water. The combined data is processed to produce 3D visualizations of underwater and surface environments. The sonar technology has been provided by US-based company Blue Robotics, while the control system has been developed by the students themselves.

Experts say the technology could significantly enhance disaster response by enabling the detection of submerged vehicles and objects in fast-flowing rivers, reducing the need for risky human diving operations.

Dr. Bhattarai noted that the system could make search and rescue operations safer, faster, and more cost-effective if adopted by security agencies and developed for commercial use. He also highlighted its potential application in hydropower projects, including reservoir depth measurement and water volume assessment, which currently require time-consuming manual methods.

Beyond disaster response and energy projects, the system could also support glacier monitoring and flood risk assessment. “Timely monitoring of glacier conditions could help identify risks and support early relocation of vulnerable settlements,” Dr. Bhattarai said.

He added that the technology could also be useful for studying riverbeds before bridge construction or river-based resource extraction, as well as for producing detailed 3D maps that could help forecast flood-affected areas during the monsoon season.

According to the engineering department, the system has potential applications for agencies including the Armed Police Force, Nepal Electricity Authority, hydropower developers, and the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. The team has expressed readiness to collaborate with relevant institutions for further development and deployment of the technology.