Humanitarian Demining: The Challenge for Robotic Research

Current methods for detecting and removing mines are dangerous, too costly, and, considering the number of abandoned mines, very slow. Mechanical systems are most frequently used to clear large areas polluted by mines. Mechanical systems usually consist of a tank that uses rollers to apply pressure to the ground, rotary flails that beat the ground, or a rake that unearths and presses the mines. The main drawback of purely mechanical demining is that no system can satisfy the desired 100% reliability of humanitarian demining. Consequently, all cleaned areas require manual verification. Thus, an urgent need exists to develop safe and efficient demining methods. This requirement represents a big challenge for robotic research. Research for detecting and localizing mines is still ongoing. In addition to known methods, new sophisticated sensing principles are under development. These sensing principles make it possible to detect and recognize mines as hidden objects. Several vehicles equipped with demining technology also are being produced

Design Issues and in Field Tests of the New Sustainable Tractor LOCOSTRA

first, in Italy, focusing on the agricultural application of the machine, in natural scenarios with different ground and vegetatio

MineSweeper: Not Just a Game Anymore

Cornell MineSweeper is a nonprofit student organization founded in 2006 by Cornell University engineering student Vikas Reddy that integrates robotics technology and humanitarian initiatives. The team, comprised of over 40 highly dedicated Cornell students, is designing practical robotic vehicles—still in the concept stage—to assist with demining efforts worldwide

Mechanical Improvised Explosive Device Removal in the Urban Environment

The safe removal and disposal of conventional weapons from civilian populated areas in a post conflict scenario is fraught with dangerous, complex and wide-ranging challenges. The worldwide proliferation of improvised explosive devices has added to the existing burden of landmine clearance already being undertaken by various organizations. Part of the solution to these challenges is to remove improvised explosive devices using mechanical methods to reduce the likelihood and consequence of the risks that personnel face when carrying out this extremely hazardous task. The mechanical removal of improvised explosive devices is an emerging methodology that is based on an established model of mechanical demining operations. While in a developmental stage, the author sought to engage with current practitioners, use recent personal experience and study the established demining model in an effort to shape the emergence and evolution of mechanical improvised explosive device removal in order to establish best practice guidance that could be shared within the conventional weapons disposal industry. The results from this research study have identified focused topics that support an operational framework on which to base mechanical IED removal operations in the urban environment. From this research study it is recommended that best practice guidance is used by organizations in the shaping of mechanical IED removal operations in the urban environment and that this best practice guidance is underpinned by a risk assessment giving consistency to safe working practices