Phase-Based Breathing Rate Monitoring in Patient Rooms Using 6G Terahertz Technology

The 6G standard aims to be an integral part of the future economy by providing both high-performance communication and sensing services. At terahertz (THz) frequencies, indoor campus networks can offer the highest sensing quality. Health monitoring in hospitals is expected to be an application site for these. This work outlines a 6G-enabled monostatic phase-based system for breathing rate monitoring. Our conducted feasibility study observes motion measurement accuracy down to the micrometer level. However, we also find that the patient's pose needs to be considered for generalized applicability. Thus, a solution that leverages multiple propagation paths and beam orientations is proposed.

Lessons from Robot-Assisted Disaster Response Deployments by the German Rescue Robotics Center Task Force

Earthquakes, fire, and floods often cause structural collapses of buildings. The inspection of damaged buildings poses a high risk for emergency forces or is even impossible, though. We present three recent selected missions of the Robotics Task Force of the German Rescue Robotics Center, where both ground and aerial robots were used to explore destroyed buildings. We describe and reflect the missions as well as the lessons learned that have resulted from them. In order to make robots from research laboratories fit for real operations, realistic test environments were set up for outdoor and indoor use and tested in regular exercises by researchers and emergency forces. Based on this experience, the robots and their control software were significantly improved. Furthermore, top teams of researchers and first responders were formed, each with realistic assessments of the operational and practical suitability of robotic systems.