Clemson graduate students engineer off-road rescue vehicle

CLEMSON, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – Clemson University unveiled Deep Orange 16, a semi-autonomous vehicle designed transform emergency response in extreme conditions.

Developed by 17 graduate automotive engineering students, the prototype is part of the university’s Deep Orange initiative. It immerses students in real-world engineering projects.

While the vehicle may not go into production, university officials said that Deep Orange 16 is engineered to reduce response time and limit the number of personnel needed in the field.

The project was sponsored by the Virtual Prototyping of Autonomy-Enabled Ground Systems (VIPR-GS) Research Center and engineered in collaboration with the U.S. Army and other industry partners.

Deep Orange 16 is built to:

• travel over rough terrain
• deliver a full pallet of supplies into disaster zones
• return autonomously with up to six passengers (including injured individuals)

Dr. Rob Prucka, the Deep Orange program director, explains the vehicle can support all of these efforts during the critical “golden hour.”

“Which means that if you can get somebody to a safe position within an hour, their likelihood of survival or a good outcome is actually much, much higher,” said Dr. Prucka.

It’s technology inspired by real-world challenges, like Hurricane Helene. Dr. Prucka says this project has been in development for about three years. However, he says it took on a whole new meaning after Helene devastated the Carolinas.

Rohit Godse, the team leader for this project, says the Deep Orange Program is the reason why he chose to attend Clemson.

“Deep Orange pushes us to think like real-world engineers,” said Godse. “We are not just learning theory, but solving complex, high-stakes problems that prepare us to lead in the industry from day one.”

The university said Deep Orange 16 is equipped with:

• A 350-kilometer range and off-road capabilities
• 360-degree camera system for situational awareness
• AI-powered heads-up display alerts for hazards up to 100 feet away
• An interior that can fit six people, including a rotating seat.

Additionally, students created a feature for the vehicle called “Soft Ride Home.” Dr. Prucka said the vehicle uses LiDAR and cameras on the front of it to scan the terrain it’s going to drive over. According to Prucka, this adjusts the suspension in an effort to make the ride as smooth as possible for the occupants.

“The Deep Orange program demonstrates what’s possible when academia, government, and industry come together to solve real-world problems,” said Dr. Prucka. “Our students are not only driving innovation — they’re helping to save lives by improving how we respond to emergencies in the most challenging environments.”

To learn more, visit the Clemson University website.

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