Investigation report of the rescue problem at Hanshin-Awaji earthquake in Kobe

The Great Hanshin-Awaji (Kobe) Earthquake killed more than 6,500 on January 17, 1995. Many people barely escaped from the debris and actively saved buried lives. Rescue facilities are really important for the robust social systems. Robotics and mechatronics are effective for advanced rescue equipment and systems. However there are only small number of research and development performed until now. In order for robotics researchers to start, analysis of the tasks and requirements is necessary. In this research, the processes of rescue activities just after the disaster were investigated. Specifications of rescue robotic facilities care proposed on the basis of the analysis.