# The Cloud-to-Edge-to-IoT Continuum as an Enabler for Search and Rescue Operations
## 5 Conclusions  
In this paper, it has been discussed how the cloud-to-edge-to-IoT compute continuum can support SAR operations in cases of natural and human disasters. Augmented computing, networking, and storage resources from the \"remote brain\" in the edge/cloud can strongly enhance the situational awareness of the first responders. An analysis of current challenges with respect to the technology used in SAR operations has been presented with an overview of advanced solutions that may be adopted in these scenarios. The NEPHELE project and its main concepts were introduced as an enabler for cloud/edge robotics applications with low delay requirements and mission control to enhance the situational awareness of first responders. With the proposed solutions, network, storage, and computation resources can be dynamically allocated through advanced techniques such as network slicing. The orchestration and smart placement of application components exploiting AI models will enable adaptation to current status and dynamics factors. The VOSstack in the NEPHELE project will enable the elaboration of data effectively and efficiently with supportive functions tailored to the specific use-case requirement.  
Our future work will consist of the implementation of a hyper-distributed application that demonstrates the benefits described in the paper for a post-earthquake scenario in a port. In such a scenario, we can imagine that the network infrastructure is down, the map of the port is not reliable due to collapsed infrastructure and buildings and several dangerous factors (e.g., containers with dangerous materials or at risk of collapsing) are of high risk for the SAR operations. It will be an ROS application for multiple robots and drones that enables the dynamic mapping of an unknown area. AI and computer vision models will be used for object detection and victim identification in the area and to update the map of the post-disaster scenario. Advanced data aggregation solutions will be investigated including consensus-based solutions as proposed, e.g., in [73] to extract information from a wide set of different sources in an efficient and effective manner. The extracted information will be used for mission control purposes, for priority definition in the SAR tasks and the assessment of risks and the health of victims. For integration with the NEPHELE framework, virtualization techniques and cloud-native technologies will be adopted.  
Conceptualization, L.M., G.T. and N.M.; writing--original draft preparation, L.M. and A.A.; writing--review and editing, L.M., A.A., G.T. and N.M.; funding acquisition, L.M., N.M. and G.T. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.  
This research was funded by the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation program under grant agreement No 101070487. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. The European Union cannot be held responsible for them.  
Not applicable.  
The authors declare no conflict of interest.