Sometimes the aftermath of a natural disaster is just as bad as the disaster itself, as the rescue teams on the ground can face a stiff challenge when it comes to communicating with the outside world and one another. Of course, our favorite problem solvers are here to help: tiny flying robots.

The "SixthSense for Search and Rescue" system by designer Dieter Amick is like a front-mounted laptop that would give rescue personnel access to maps and pertinent information with just a glance downward. Sounds awesome, but why'd he have to go and make it so fanny pack-ish?

Thanks to the robo-wizards at Japan's BL Autotec, small form-factor rescue robots have a new trick up their sleeves — and yes, they could even have sleeves now — in the shape of a robotic arm that can open doors....

The Squad Firefighter Positioning System, designed by University of New South Wales student Roy Hareguina, provides firefighters with the kind of positioning information you see on your HUD in a lot of action games. The conceptual unit employs a sonar...