The Evolution of Autonomous Robotics in Public Safety

Abstract

The application of autonomous robotics in public safety is transforming how societies prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. Traditional human-centered operations in disaster response, firefighting, search and rescue, law enforcement, and infrastructure protection often expose personnel to high-risk environments. Autonomous robots offer a safer alternative by operating in hazardous and uncertain conditions with minimal human intervention. Advancements in Artificial Intelligence, sensor fusion, machine perception, embedded systems, and communication technologies have enabled modern robots to make complex decisions, collaborate in teams, and adapt to dynamic environments. This paper reviews the evolution of public safety robotics, from early teleoperated systems to advanced multi-agent autonomous robots. It analyzes key technological developments, system design approaches, and operational frameworks in areas such as disaster response, autonomous surveillance, firefighting, and emergency medical support. The study proposes a staged autonomy framework incorporating perception, cognition, control, and coordination modules. Results indicate that autonomous robotics can significantly improve situational awareness, reduce response time, and enhance responder safety, while highlighting challenges related to reliability, trust, legal responsibility, and interoperability.