Robot searches for survivors in mine disasters

Citation

Bloss, R. (2012), "Robot searches for survivors in mine disasters", Industrial Robot, Vol. 39 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2012.04939caa.006

Robot searches for survivors in mine disasters

Article Type: Mini features From: Industrial Robot: An International Journal, Volume 39, Issue 3

Sandi National Laboratory has developed a scout robot for exploring mine cave-ins and other rubble type disasters. Nicknamed the Gemini, the unique articulated dual track style vehicle can climb over obstacles such as boulders or piles of rubble as high as 45 cm with its 25 cm high tracks (Figure 2). The vehicle is about 0.6 m high and 1.2 m long and battery powered. The normal battery provides for a 2 h mission, considered as 1 h of movement and 1 h of more stationary inspection.

Figure 2 The Sandia Gemini rescue robot

The Gemini carries three types of sensing/communication technology: two-way audio and two-way video plus gas sensors for methane, carbon monoxide and oxygen. The robot is explosion proof and rated for safely entering hazardous areas. Onboard lights illuminate the areas being examined by the fully directable pan and tilt cameras. The robot can carry loads such as food packs, air supplies for trapped workers, medicine or extra batteries for an additional 2 h of mission time.

Figure 3 The modified Xbox game controller used for directing the Gemini robot

The dual track design provides extra ability to maneuver and even pull a survivor out of harm’s way. The dual articulated tracks allowing the robot to turn on its own center of rotation, one track set can push while the other track set is pulling. The robot can also travel through water as deep as 46 cm without problems should there be mine flooding.

Figure 4 Controller, laptop computer, radio antenna unit and handy portable carrying case for the Gemini robot

Control of the robot is performed on an adapted Xbox 360 game controller to make it easy to learn how to operate, almost as easy as playing a computer game (Figure 3). Rescuers generally do not need any special training to effectively deploy the Gemini in a disaster situation. The controller is connected to a laptop computer (Figure 4). The controller package links to the robot via dual band radio on 900 MHz and 2.4 GHz. As an option the controller can be linked to the robot via a fibre optic cable. The radio link controls the robot over line of sight distances and a fibre optic cable can be deployed for control on out of sight missions.

For more information about the Sandia Gemini robot please visit web site: www.sandia.gov

Richard Bloss