Fraunhofer Institute for Open Communication Systems
Fraunhofer Institute for Open Communication Systems

AMADEUS

5G-Enabled Drone Solution for Rescue and Disaster Response

AMADEUS 5G-Netz über Payload an Schwerlastdrohne am Flugplatz Schönhagen
© Philipp Plum / Fraunhofer FOKUS

The AMADEUS (Airborne reMote observAtion anD rEscUe ActivitieS) project researches and develops cutting-edge technologies to support rescue and emergency response teams in disaster zones, civil protection operations, and large-scale emergencies.

The focus is on a mobile, drone-based 5G infrastructure that functions as a flying 5G cell, providing a self-sufficient and location-independent communication network. This enables reliable, secure, and low-latency communication even in critical operational situations. As a result, image, video, and control data can be transmitted in real time, and rescue and emergency response teams can communicate with one another.

Overall System

The project involves developing an integrated overall system and testing it in extensive field trials under realistic conditions.

The following are used:

  • Reconnaissance drones that provide current aerial imagery and a live situational overview
  • mobile robots that can be deployed in hard-to-reach or hazardous areas
  • a common user interface through which all systems are centrally controlled and coordinated

A drone also carries the entire communication infrastructure, from the 5G core network to the satellite connection. This allows an operational communication network to be set up within minutes in the event of an emergency.

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Impressions from the final AMADEUS event

At the conclusion of the AMADEUS project, an operational scenario was demonstrated under realistic conditions. The goal was to validate the developed technologies in combination and to demonstrate their performance in practical use.

Project partners: 

  • Fraunhofer FOKUS
  • CADUS e.V.
  • Roboverse Reply
  • TH Wildau 
  • TU Berlin

Subcontractor R&D:

  • MIT GmbH

Scenes from the demonstration at the Schönhagen airfield

Components of the realistic operational scenario

AMADEUS: Schwerlastdrohne mit Payload, die die Hard- und Software für das 5G-Netz enthält
© Philipp Plum / Fraunhofer FOKUS
The 5G box used for AMADEUS (on the left in the picture) weighs just 18 kilograms and combines all the essential components of a mobile communications network.
AMADEUS 5G-Netz auf Schwerlastdrohne am Flugplatz Schönhagen
© Philipp Plum / Fraunhofer FOKUS
The 5G box is attached to the heavy-lift drone.
AMADEUS: Roboterhund mit Schwerlastdrohne im Hintergrund
© Philipp Plum / Fraunhofer FOKUS
The robot is controlled from the control center via the local 5G network, for example, to search for people in hazardous environments.
AMADEUS: Abschlussdemo Einsatz- und Raupenfahrzeig
© Philipp Plum / Fraunhofer FOKUS
The vehicle for emergency responders and other robots is also provided with a broadband connection via the aerial communication network.
AMADEUS Kontrollzentrum Abschlussdemo auf dem Flugplatz in Schönhagen
© Philipp Plum / Fraunhofer FOKUS
Everything at a view: The robots are controlled and the situational data from the reconnaissance drone are analyzed in the control center.