Indonesia is one of the countries most vulnerable to natural disasters in the world. Its location at the convergence of continental and oceanic tectonic plates, along with its position within the Pacific Ring of Fire, makes the country highly prone to earthquakes. When an earthquake strikes, building debris often traps victims, and in such critical situations, the speed of locating survivors becomes a matter of life and death.
Until now, victim search efforts have been carried out manually, with rescue teams combing through debris area by area. This method is very time-consuming, especially in large-affected areas, increasing the risk that victims may go undetected under collapsed structures. These limitations often slow down the evacuation process, even though every minute is critical for saving lives.
To address this challenge, RALIVIDE (Radar Live Victim Detector) was developed. RALIVIDE is a handheld radar-based device specifically designed to detect survivors trapped under building debris. Using radar technology capable of penetrating solid materials, RALIVIDE can identify the chest movements of victims as they breathe in real time. This allows rescue teams to immediately locate living victims, enabling faster, more targeted, and significantly more efficient rescue operations.
This innovation emerged from a collaboration between Telkom University and PT Radar Telekomunikasi Indonesia (RTI), initiated through the Kedaireka 2022 Matching Fund program. The partnership combines academic research expertise with industry experience in radar device development, resulting in a practical solution to support post-disaster search and rescue operations.
RALIVIDE features a portable and practical design, making it easy to transport to disaster sites with challenging conditions. Measuring approximately 104 x 27 cm and lightweight, the device greatly supports the mobility of rescue teams in hard-to-reach areas. More than just an aid, RALIVIDE is a game-changer in rescue operations: it speeds up detection, improves time efficiency, and most importantly, increases the survival chances of disaster victims. Watch this video to learn more about RALIVIDE:
