MOBNET · Project

Drone-Based Search and Rescue System That Locates Disaster Victims via Phone Signals

otherTestedTRL 6

mobnet-h2020.eu

Imagine an earthquake hits and people are trapped under rubble or stranded in remote areas — rescuers can't reach them, and nobody knows exactly where they are. MOBNET built a fleet of drones that fly over disaster zones and pick up signals from victims' mobile phones, pinpointing their location even when cell towers are down. The drones use Galileo satellite navigation combined with cellular technology to get accurate positions, then relay everything back to a ground station where rescue teams can see exactly where to go. Think of it as a flying cell tower that finds people instead of waiting for them to call for help.

By the numbers

consortium partners

countries involved (DE, ES, NL, PL)

SMEs in the consortium

60%

industry participation ratio

total project deliverables

hardware/software prototypes built

The business problem

What needed solving

When disasters strike — earthquakes, hurricanes, massive snowstorms — finding trapped or isolated victims is a race against time, and traditional search methods are slow, dangerous, and often impossible in devastated terrain. First responders and civil protection agencies lack a reliable way to rapidly locate people across large, inaccessible areas using the one device almost every victim carries: their mobile phone.

The solution

What was built

MOBNET built two key prototypes: a complete drone-based Search and Rescue system that uses Galileo satellite navigation and mobile phone signal detection to locate disaster victims, and a Ground Station with hardware and software for commanding UAV operations. Both prototypes were tested against technical specifications with documented measurements across 7 total deliverables.

Audience

Who needs this

Civil protection and disaster management agencies (e.g., national emergency services)Border surveillance and law enforcement technology integratorsCommercial drone manufacturers expanding into public safety marketsHumanitarian organizations operating in disaster-prone regionsMilitary search and rescue technology procurement offices

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Emergency Services & Disaster Response

enterprise

Target: Civil protection agencies and disaster response organizations

If you are a civil protection agency dealing with the chaos of locating victims after earthquakes, floods, or large-scale storms — this project developed a drone-based search and rescue system with a working prototype that uses Galileo satellite signals and mobile phone detection to pinpoint isolated people. The system was designed with end-user input from first responders and works at long distances, cutting the time between disaster and rescue.

Security & Border Control

mid-size

Target: Border surveillance and law enforcement technology providers

If you are a security technology company supplying border agencies or law enforcement with surveillance tools — MOBNET developed a UAV system that can locate people hidden within buildings or across difficult terrain using cellular signal detection. Built by a 5-partner consortium across 4 countries with 60% industry participation, the system combines drone mobility with ground station command and control for reliable operations.

Drone & UAV Systems

SME

Target: Commercial drone manufacturers and service providers

If you are a drone company looking to expand into public safety markets — MOBNET created a tested communication link between UAVs and ground stations that ensures uninterrupted command and control, plus signal integrity during missions. The ground station hardware and software prototype was built to defined specifications, offering a technology building block you could integrate into your own SAR product line.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to deploy this system?

The project data does not include specific unit costs or deployment pricing. As an Innovation Action with a working prototype, commercial pricing would depend on the drone fleet size, ground station configuration, and operational requirements. Contact the consortium for licensing or partnership terms.

Can this scale to cover large disaster areas?

The prototype was specifically designed to work at long distances, as stated in the project objectives. The system uses UAVs that can cover areas that are difficult, dangerous, or impossible to access on foot. Scaling would involve deploying multiple drones coordinated through the ground station.

What is the IP situation — can I license this technology?

The project was coordinated by Orbital Sistemas Aeroespaciales (Spain), an SME, with 3 SMEs total in the consortium. IP likely sits with the consortium partners. As a closed Horizon 2020 Innovation Action, licensing or joint venture discussions should be directed to the coordinator.

Does this work with existing emergency communication systems?

MOBNET was designed around European GNSS systems (Galileo and EGNOS) and Digital Cellular Technologies, which are standard infrastructure across Europe. The system detects signals from victims' existing mobile phones, so no special equipment is needed on the victim side.

What was actually tested and demonstrated?

Two key prototypes were built: a complete MOBNET Search and Rescue system prototype with documented measurements and analysis, and a Ground Station hardware and software prototype tested against defined technical requirements. Results were compared against system specifications from the design phase.

Is this ready for real emergency operations?

The project reached the prototype stage with integrated system testing, but based on available project data there is no evidence of live operational deployment during actual disaster scenarios. The system was validated through technical tests and measurements rather than field operations.

How does this compare to existing search and rescue technology?

Traditional SAR relies on ground teams, helicopters, and thermal imaging. MOBNET's advantage is using victims' own phone signals for positioning via drone-mounted cellular detection combined with Galileo accuracy. This works even when conventional cell infrastructure is destroyed.

Consortium

Who built it

MOBNET's consortium of 5 partners across 4 countries (Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Poland) is compact and industry-heavy at 60% industry participation with 3 SMEs. The coordinator, Orbital Sistemas Aeroespaciales from Spain, is an SME specializing in aerospace systems — a strong signal that this project was built with commercialization in mind rather than pure research. The mix of 1 university and 1 research organization providing scientific backbone alongside 3 industrial partners suggests the technology was developed with real-world deployment requirements driving the design. For a business buyer, the SME-led consortium means faster decision-making on licensing and more flexibility on partnership terms than dealing with large institutions.

ORBITAL SISTEMAS AEROESPACIALES SLCoordinator · ES
FIRE UNIVERSITYparticipant · PL
DELFT DYNAMICS BVparticipant · NL
ASOCIACION CENTRO TECNOLOGICO CEITparticipant · ES

How to reach the team

Orbital Sistemas Aeroespaciales SL (Spain) — aerospace SME, project coordinator. SciTransfer can facilitate introduction.

Order a report on this consortium See ORBITAL SISTEMAS AEROESPACIALES SL profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore licensing MOBNET's drone-based SAR technology or integrating it into your emergency response product line? SciTransfer can connect you directly with the development team and provide a detailed technology brief.

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