Advanced Landmine Detection: A Deep Dive into Demining Robots – Meet Jackal UGV & OutdoorNav
Introduction:
Landmine detection, also known as demining, is the critical process of identifying and locating buried landmines. With ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, experts are working on a new approach using cooperative robotic platforms, multiple sensors, and data fusion techniques. The goal is to develop a safe and cost-effective method that can be deployed in Ukraine. The project is sponsored by a grant from the NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme. The team aims to clear expansive regions in diverse settings, prioritizing safety and efficiency. They are utilizing specialized robots with advanced sensors to conduct detection, classification, and mapping procedures. The robots are equipped with ground penetrating radar, metal detection sensors, and holographic radar to detect and identify various types of landmines. They can also detect surface objects using AI and LiDAR technology. The project has achieved positive results in simulated minefields, with successful functionality and advancements in AI-based threat detection. In a final demo, two robots showcased their capabilities in a simulated minefield. The team plans to continue advancing their sensor development, conducting field tests, and exploring related technologies. The project is led by a team of experts from the University of Florence, Franklin & Marshall College, Usikov Institute of Radiophysics and Electronics, and Jordan Institute of Science and Technology. For more information, visit their website and LinkedIn page.
Full News:
Landmine detection, also known as demining, is a crucial process that involves locating and identifying landmines that are buried in the ground. These landmines, often deployed in conflict regions, pose a significant threat to both civilians and military personnel long after the conflicts have ended. In light of the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, experts are working tirelessly to develop advanced technologies for safe and cost-effective landmine detection.
To address this pressing issue, a collaborative effort is underway among teams from the University of Florence, Franklin & Marshall College, Usikov Institute of Radiophysics and Electronics, and Jordan Institute of Science and Technology. These teams are working on the development of a new paradigm that involves cooperative robotic platforms, multiple sensors, and data fusion techniques. The goal is to enhance the capabilities of detecting surface and buried landmines, with the ultimate aim of deploying these technologies in Ukraine. The project is sponsored by a grant from the NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme.
The team aims to tackle the challenging task of clearing expansive regions in various settings, including urban zones, civil areas, infrastructure sites, agricultural fields, and cultural heritage sites. Their objective is to prioritize safety and efficiency in their approach. To achieve this, they have employed a team of Jackal UGVs (Unmanned Ground Vehicles) as base platforms, mounting various sensors and utilizing Clearpath’s OutdoorNav Autonomy Software for sensor fusion, navigation, and target identification in the field. The OutdoorNav software provides accurate positioning and geolocation of objects identified by the robots during their missions.
The specialized robots are designed to act cooperatively, performing detection, classification, and mapping procedures for shallow threats. Each robot is tailored to specific tasks and equipped with specialized sensors. Robot #1 initially had a sensor equipped with ultra-wide band impulse ground penetrating radar (GPR) to detect and locate subsurface objects. As the project progressed, the robot was equipped with tripwire detection and an optical detection system. Robot #2 has a metal detection sensor for detecting objects on or under the ground, providing 2D images. Robot #3 has a holographic radar sensor that provides images of detected anti-personnel mines in the ground. Additionally, this robot utilizes AI real-time detection and LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology to detect surface objects.
As part of the project, a system was established to enable the robots to securely share real-time data with remote terminals and portable devices. This shared data is used for classifying explosive threats. The project yielded positive results, with surface and buried threats successfully detected in simulated minefields.
In a final demonstration conducted on August 29, 2023, at Franklin and Marshall College, two of the three robots showcased their functionality in a simulated minefield with buried mine simulants and clutter. Guided by GPS and following a pre-programmed course, the robots demonstrated effective coordination and sensor capabilities.
The team’s future plans include advancing sensor development, conducting additional field tests, establishing databases, and facilitating communication between sensors for storing raw data and results. There is also potential for the emergence of related technologies that could be valuable for military units operating in Ukraine, particularly in the detection of surface threats and tripwires using AI.
The members involved in this project include Lorenzo Capineri, Associate Professor at the University of Florence, Gennadiy Pochanin, Senior Researcher at Usikov Institute, Tim Bechtel, Professor at Franklin and Marshall College, Khlaed Asfar, Professor at Jordan University of Science and Technology, and Fronefield Crawford, Professor at Franklin and Marshall College.
If you would like to learn more about Demining Robots, you can visit their website and LinkedIn page. Your feedback and participation are encouraged to support the ongoing development of this critical technology.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the development of demining robots with specialized sensors shows great promise in addressing the issue of landmine detection. Through collaborative efforts and the utilization of advanced technologies, the team working on this project aims to enhance the capabilities for surface and buried landmines, with the ultimate goal of being deployed in Ukraine. The project has already achieved significant advancements in AI-based surface threat detection and tripwire detection, paving the way for future implementation and expansion. With the potential for emerging technologies, these demining robots could prove invaluable in ensuring the safety and efficiency of military units operating in conflict regions.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. How does the Jackal UGV contribute to advanced landmine detection?
The Jackal UGV (Unmanned Ground Vehicle) plays a vital role in advanced landmine detection by autonomously navigating hazardous terrains, detecting potential minefields, and marking their locations for further investigation.
2. What makes OutdoorNav an essential component of demining robots?
OutdoorNav is a cutting-edge navigation system used in demining robots like Jackal UGV. It combines GPS technology with advanced algorithms, enabling accurate positioning in outdoor environments, crucial for landmine detection operations.
3. How does Jackal UGV ensure worker safety during demining operations?
Jackal UGV ensures worker safety by replacing human involvement in the initial reconnaissance and detection phase. It enters potentially dangerous areas, identifies possible minefields, and keeps human deminers out of harm’s way.
4. Can Jackal UGV operate in all types of terrains?
Jackal UGV is designed to operate in a wide range of terrains, including rough, uneven, or challenging surfaces. Its robust build and advanced mobility mechanisms allow it to navigate through forests, deserts, mountains, and other challenging landscapes.
5. How does the landmine detection process work with demining robots like Jackal UGV?
Demining robots like Jackal UGV employ various sensor systems such as ground-penetrating radar, metal detectors, and multispectral imaging to search for landmines. Once a potential minefield is detected, the robot marks the locations, allowing subsequent manual removal.
6. Can Jackal UGV distinguish between landmines and harmless objects?
Jackal UGV utilizes sophisticated algorithms and sensor fusion techniques to differentiate between various objects. It minimizes false positives by analyzing the sensor data, ensuring that landmines are accurately identified, while non-threatening objects are not mistakenly labeled.
7. What benefits does the use of demining robots like Jackal UGV provide?
The use of demining robots such as Jackal UGV offers several benefits, including increased efficiency, reduced risk to human lives, faster minefield detection, improved accuracy and precision, and the ability to cover large areas in a shorter time frame.
8. Is Jackal UGV a standalone solution, or does it require human intervention?
Jackal UGV works autonomously but typically requires human operators for monitoring and controlling its activities. These operators supervise the robot’s progress, analyze collected data, and make informed decisions based on the detected landmines.
9. Can Jackal UGV be customized for specific demining requirements?
Yes, Jackal UGV can be customized to cater to specific demining requirements. Its payload capacity allows for the integration of additional sensors and tools based on the specific needs of the demining operation, enhancing its capabilities accordingly.
10. Are demining robots like Jackal UGV widely used?
Demining robots, such as Jackal UGV, are rapidly gaining popularity and wider adoption in the field of landmine detection and clearance. Their effectiveness and potential to save lives have made them an increasingly valuable asset in demining tasks worldwide.
