UNDER THE SHELL

What are these demining machines looking out for?

Pressure prongs

These prongs reach towards the surface above to detect pressure. Connected to the central rod, pressure applied to these prongs creates contact with the fuse. Robots need to work around these sensors to detach the fuse before it can trigger the detonator.

Fragmentation shell

The shells of landmines used to be made of metal, but many are now made of plastic with very small volumes of metal. This is to limit the methods robots and other machines can use to find them.

Main charge

This section is full of explosive chemicals. The machines try to prevent this from being ignited by the fuse, as it will set off a deadly reaction. Chemical sensors can often be used to detect explosives in the ground.

Metal fuse

Landmine robots often rely on metal detection to locate landmines. In modern landmines only parts of the fuse encased deep within the device are made of metal. Metal-detecting methods can no longer be fully relied on.

Controlled remotely

The Scorpion can operate at distances up to 2,990 metres away from the person controlling it.

Rods

This pair of rods at the back help the bot to move up stairs by hooking onto them.

Ground-level camera

Placed low to the ground, the purpose of the camera being mid-wheel height is so that when travelling through the grass protruding features can be easily spotted.

Radio antenna

This antenna picks up communication from the remote control, allowing movements to be determined and cameras to be accessed from afar.

Battery

With its built-in power supply this compact robot can carry out its landmine searches for around four hours at a time.

Four-wheeled

Without the tracks seen in other robots, its movement may be limited in treacherous terrain. However, the four separate wheels give it the advantage of a higher speed.

Batteries

The robot runs on lithium-ion batteries, which are chosen for their high energy density. Packbots can last between four and eight hours.

Flippers

Pointed flippers can aid manoeuvres by lifting the device at one side. They can grip onto obstacles and prevent limitations in the search.

Cameras

The camera attached to the front allows those controlling the robot to see its surroundings through a wide-angle lens. Another one on the arm, facing towards the grabber, is a close-up camera which is able to show details of the hazardous landmine.

Gripper

The arm is controlled to grab landmines with the grippers at the end. This applies pressure to the device, separating the fuse. Without a fuse, the danger is removed. The gripper is also equipped with cable cutters.

Six-legged

Moving independently, the legs use metal detectors and ground-penetrating radar to ensure every step is safe. These radio waves spot any irregularities in the soil, indicating the presence of a buried object. When scanning the floor it uses walking mode for analysis.

Arm

Has a 360-degree rotating wrist which increases the dexterity of the gripper and enables care to be taken when handling explosives.

Central camera

This technology includes a visible-light camera as well as infrared viewing.

Technology range

Depending on the mission, different sensors and features can be attached to the robot. These include chemical, radiation, gas and temperature sensors.

Rechargeable batteries

This robot uses two lead acid batteries, giving it a three-hour run time before a recharge.

Manoeuvrability

The robot’s tread can climb stairs up to 43 degrees and navigate through rock and rubble.

Cameras

The device can be mounted with up to seven cameras. These include all-weather, night-vision and thermal cameras which can assist in spotting landmines.

Sonar sensors

These sensors send sound waves out, which bounce off objects and return to the robot. This data enables COMET to determine where surrounding objects are, including threats.