This autonomous robot scouts unfriendly terrain for dangerous land mines in warzone and post-conflict regions

Wars bring with them massive destruction on the battlefield but the implications beyond wartime can be equally devastating in terms of mental, psychological and physical damage. The ongoing strangling in two of the most important regions in the world is a clear example of how conflicts can have devastating aftermaths. Land mines have long been one of the worst nemesis of post-war calamities, rendering fertile lands too risky to be cultivated.

Searching for these fatal buried hazards can be an arduous task even for the most potent military units and that’s where robotic land mine detectors make the task easier. This takes all the risk of human life away and also ensures the particular area of land is safely ridden of destructive land mines laid down by battling units in the past.

Designer: Subin Kim and JiHoon Park

Meet the Warden mine detector proposed as a concept design that safely takes care of identifying potential land mines and marks the area with red paint to keep everyone safe. This creates a quarantined zone for residents and outsiders about the potential threats. Working autonomously to scout any kind of terrain, the smart robotic minesweeper is connected to the cloud at all times to send the real-time data of identified mines, so that they can be updated in relevant online maps and public resources.

Looking like a rover moving forward on unknown lands, this robot has a high ride height to move swiftly on rocky terrain. The machine is loaded with advanced sensors and a surprising mowing attachment to remove any standing grass or weed. This makes the marked area visible even in the dark hours of the day. When not autonomous, the minesweeper robot can also be controlled by a soldier during wartime scouting.

The post This autonomous robot scouts unfriendly terrain for dangerous land mines in warzone and post-conflict regions first appeared on Yanko Design.

Researchers are breeding fluorescent bacteria to uncover landmines

One of the many tragedies of war are the dangers that persist long after conflicts formally end -- dangers like abandoned minefields peppered with active, deadly ordnance. Buried landmines threaten the lives of ordinary people near former battlefield...

Landmine Detecting Shoe Insoles Might Just Save Your Life

Most of us are lucky enough to live in peaceful places where landmines don’t threaten our lives on a daily basis. Unfortunately, many people still live in fear of stepping on landmines and losing their limbs – or worse, their lives. This is true for Colombia, where over 10,000 people have been maimed or killed because of these lethal weapons.

Well aware of this fact, design firm Lemur Studio came up with a landmine detector called “SaveOneLife” that fits right inside a person’s shoe.

saveonelife landmine concept 1 620x478magnify

As designed, it will use a small coil of conductive material that produces an electromagnetic field. This is key to how it works, as this field will be able to interact with the electromagnetic field of the landmines. When a landmine is detected, the user will get an alarm on the armband that works in conjunction with the sole – hopefully before they step on one.

saveonelife landmine concept 2 620x478magnify

Iván Pérez, Lemur’s creative director, explains: “The device was created with the goal of saving a life, hence the name, first by the families of the victims and second for the cost effects of military forces by the loss of his men in combat.

SaveOneLife is still a concept design for now, but here’s to hoping it becomes a reality.

[via Co. Exist via Dvice]

Smartphone-powered mine detectors readied for field-testing in Cambodia (video)

Smarphonebased metal detectors

Red Lotus Technologies is now refining and pitching its PETALS technology for real-world use around the world. Short for Pattern Enhancement Tool for Assisting Landmine Sensing, the system connects acoustic sensors to smartphones, outputting a silhouette of what lies below onto the phone's screen. The company has expanded from an initial research project that paired mine-detecting sensors with the processing clout (and availability of) smartphones. It's now developed some tablet-based training equipment for de-miners and, working alongside the Landmine Relief Fund, aims to field-test the devices in Cambodia before launching them next year.

Filed under: , , ,

Smartphone-powered mine detectors readied for field-testing in Cambodia (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Sep 2012 03:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceRed Lotus Technologies  | Email this | Comments