A Semi-Automated Earthquake Evacuation System Using Early Warning Detection

This paper presents the development and validation of a semi-automated evacuation route system designed for rapid response during seismic events. Given Japan’s frequent earthquakes, ensuring timely evacuation is a critical issue. The proposed system utilizes the Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) system to detect seismic activity and offers residents the option to automatically open doors or windows, securing evacuation routes before structural deformation occurs. A prototype of the system was developed using a Raspberry Pi and tested with pre-recorded EEW signals. Results show that while the system reliably detected EEW and transmitted notifications to residents, the time required for window opening reached 14 seconds, indicating room for improvement in response time. Future work will focus on reducing this delay through local server implementation and bypassing cloud-based systems. This system not only aids in disaster response but also has potential for everyday applications, such as baby cry detection, ensuring its continued relevance in daily life.