NVIDIA and Bridge to Türkiye Fund Support AI and Robotics Projects to Enhance Disaster Response and Preparedness

Since a major 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Syria and Türkiye two years ago, resulting in over 55,000 deaths, 130,000 injuries, and millions of displaced individuals, local students, researchers, and developers have been working to enhance disaster preparedness through advanced AI and robotics technologies. The NVIDIA Disaster Response Innovation and Education Grant, in partnership with the Bridge to Türkiye Fund, played a crucial role in this effort by providing 100 free NVIDIA Jetson Nano Developer Kits and $50,000 in funding to eight recipients. One of the notable projects emerged from Ankara University, where researchers developed a modular unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) designed for post-earthquake search and rescue operations. Equipped with a thermal camera, an RGB-D camera, and the NVIDIA Jetson Nano Developer Kit, the UGV can scan environments in 3D and detect thermal activity, allowing rescuers to locate survivors from a safe distance. Associate Professor Mehmet Cem Çatalbaş highlighted how the grant enabled real-time thermal vision-based victim detection, accelerating their research and turning it into a practical, life-saving tool. At Hacettepe University, a leading research institution in Ankara, the computer engineering department integrated the NVIDIA Jetson Nano Developer Kit into two courses to teach simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) and other essential robotics skills. Over a dozen students constructed small mobile robots, known as "Duckiebots," capable of autonomous navigation and path planning. These robots can explore hazardous areas, such as collapsed buildings or fire zones, to assist in finding and rescuing trapped individuals. The hands-on approach helped students simulate and operate these robots effectively. Another significant initiative was undertaken by researchers at Bilkent University, who created a portable mini supercomputer cluster using the NVIDIA Jetson Nano Developer Kits. This cluster performs metagenomic analysis, swiftly identifying pathogens in water and food sources in disaster-stricken areas. Portability is a key feature, allowing the cluster to be deployed on-site for immediate testing and disease prevention. The team utilized the CuCLARK open-source library to achieve fast and accurate DNA screening, a critical capability for responding to sanitation challenges post-disaster. The Izmir Institute of Technology also benefited from the grant, integrating NVIDIA Jetson Nano devices, CUDA, and teaching kits from the NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute into their curriculum. Assistant Professor Işıl Öz developed a heterogeneous parallel programming course for nearly 80 undergraduate students, incorporating hands-on deep learning projects. This approach not only made the learning process more engaging but also equipped students with the skills needed to develop sustainable, life-saving technologies. Öz will present a paper titled “Teaching Accelerated Computing With Hands-on Experience” at the IEEE International Parallel and Distributed Processing Symposium, sharing insights on the successful implementation of the course. In addition to these specific projects, NVIDIA employees and the company matched donations totaling over $1.9 million to aid earthquake victims, demonstrating a commitment to both immediate relief and long-term solutions. Harun Bayraktar, a senior director of libraries engineering at NVIDIA, and Berra Kara, a senior GPU power architect, spearheaded the grant program. Both have roots in Türkiye and saw the initiative as a way to invest their expertise in preventing future tragedies. The grant has been instrumental in raising awareness about disaster response and enhancing AI and robotics capabilities in Türkiye. By equipping local talent with cutting-edge tools and knowledge, these projects not only address immediate needs but also contribute to a broader ecosystem of innovation, ensuring better preparedness and reduced casualties in future emergencies. Industry insiders have praised the NVIDIA and Bridge to Türkiye Fund collaboration, noting that it leverages high-performance computing to tackle real-world problems with significant humanitarian impact. The projects highlight the potential of AI and robotics in disaster management and underscore the importance of investing in technological education and innovation. Companies like NVIDIA, which have a history of supporting research and development, continue to play a vital role in driving advancements that can save lives and improve recovery efforts in disaster-prone regions.