News Summary
Clemson University has introduced Deep Orange 16, a semi-autonomous rescue vehicle designed to improve disaster response capabilities. Developed by automotive engineering graduate students, this vehicle addresses challenges faced during Hurricane Helene, allowing for efficient delivery of emergency supplies and transport of individuals in need. Backed by the VIPR-GS Research Center and the U.S. Army, it sets out to enhance safety and response times during emergencies. The vehicle also aids graduate students in gaining practical experience in engineering challenges and automobile design.
South Carolina – Clemson University has announced the introduction of Deep Orange 16, a cutting-edge semi-autonomous rescue vehicle designed to enhance disaster response capabilities, especially in extreme conditions. Developed by a team of graduate automotive engineering students, this innovative vehicle aims to deliver emergency supplies quickly and safely to areas affected by disasters.
Deep Orange 16 is inspired by the challenges faced during Hurricane Helene, which impacted communities just north of the South Carolina state line in the previous year. The vehicle is a direct response to the need for improved safety and efficiency during emergency rescue efforts, addressing shortcomings identified during the hurricane’s aftermath.
The initiative is backed by the Virtual Prototyping of Autonomy-Enabled Ground Systems (VIPR-GS) Research Center, with collaboration from the U.S. Army and other stakeholders. This partnership highlights a commitment to developing technology that can reduce response times and minimize the risk to personnel involved in high-stakes rescue scenarios.
Deep Orange 16 is equipped with advanced technology, enabling it to autonomously deliver a full pallet of emergency supplies to disaster-stricken regions. During its return journey, the vehicle is capable of transporting up to six individuals, including those who may be injured, while maintaining autonomous operations. This feature is particularly significant as it allows first responders to focus on providing aid rather than transporting supplies and personnel.
The vehicle is designed to reach emergency scenes within the critical timeframe known as the “golden hour,” which is essential for effective rescue operations. Additionally, it can create a high-resolution digital terrain map during its return trip, which aids original drivers in continuing their support on-site.
Beyond its immediate applications in disaster response, Deep Orange 16 serves as a practical learning framework for the graduate students involved in its development. The hands-on experience equips them with skills relevant to real-world engineering challenges, providing a solid foundation for future automobile design and manufacturing processes.
The team behind Deep Orange 16 consists of 17 dedicated graduate students showcasing impressive innovation and technical expertise. Their collaborative efforts culminated in the unveiling of the vehicle at the Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering & Technology Symposium (GVSETS) held in Novi, Michigan.
The Deep Orange program exemplifies the synergy between academia, government, and industry in addressing significant issues within emergency response systems. The vehicle will also function as a test and validation platform for ongoing research conducted at the VIPR-GS Research Center, located at the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) in Greenville.
In summary, Deep Orange 16 represents a significant advancement in enabling effective disaster response through its semi-autonomous capabilities, innovative features, and commitment to improving the safety and efficiency of rescue operations. As society faces increasing natural disasters, developments such as this highlight the critical role that engineering and technology play in modern emergency management.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Business North Carolina: North Carolina’s Best Employers 2025
- Greenville Business Magazine: Top Workplaces – The 2025 Winners
- Inc: The 10 Best Workplaces in North Carolina
- YouTube: Clemson University Deep Orange 16
- Wikipedia: Disaster Response
Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
The HERE Greenville Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenville community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenville Our team includes lifelong Greenville residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sales in the Heritage Historic District 17 , Greenville’s textile and railroad heritage 2 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Greenville Technical College programs) 27 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
