Integrated Mobile Robot System for Landmine Detection

In this paper, we discuss the integration process of a mobile robot and multi-channel metal detector system intended for humanitarian demining applications within the EU FP7 TIRAMISU project. The paper describes how a standard tele-operated Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) robot was upgraded with electronics, sensors, computing power, motor control units and power sources, such that it becomes able to execute humanitarian demining tasks. To be able to detect land mines we have integrated with the mobile robot platform a multi-channel metal detector system which is a specialized sensor system for demining platforms developed by Vallon GmbH. In order to evaluate the proposed system integration we have performed first test and validation activities done at the SEDEE-DOVO test field (dummy minefield and UXO test site) of the Belgium Defense. Our first data acquisition results obtained during test and validation activities with the systems are reported. Lessons learned during the work conclude this paper.