US firm develops robot to reach trapped miners

Using little more than a Microsoft Xbox 360 game controller, rescue teams can now save trapped miners with a scout robot developed by a US government-owned/contractor operated firm. Sandia National Laboratories developed the robot to help overcome threats from poisonous gases, flooded tunnels, explosive vapors and unstable walls and roofs. “We have designed this robot to go in ahead of its handlers, to assess the situation and potential hazards and allow operations to move more quickly. The robot is guided by remote control and is equipped with gas sensors, a thermal camera to locate survivors and another pan-and-tilt camera mounted several feet up to see the obstacles we’re facing," said Jon Salton, Sandia engineer and project manager. He said the technology is “broad enough to be appealing to other first responders, such as police, firefighters and medical personnel." “Gemini-Scout could easily be fitted to handle earthquake and fire scenarios, and we think this could provide real relief in currently inaccessible situations," he added. Engineer Justin Garretson, the lead software developer, said they used the Xbox controller to direct the robot so new operators will learn the system quickly. “We focused a lot on usability and copied a lot of gamer interfaces so that users can pick it up pretty quickly," said Garretson. According to Sandia, the robot can navigate through 18 inches of water, crawl over boulders and rubble piles, and go ahead of rescuers to evaluate dangerous environments. The Gemini-Scout robot measures less than four feet long and two feet tall, and can navigate around tight corners and over safety hatches a foot high. It can also bring food, air packs and medicine to those trapped underground, and is equipped with two-way radios and can be programmed to drag survivors to safety. The Gemini-Scout can also negotiate nearly every known mine hazard, noting methane and other gases can ignite if exposed to sparks. Sandia said the robot’s electronics are housed in casings designed to withstand an explosion. “Such measures would prevent a spark from causing further destruction. While it might harm the robot, it wouldn’t create another dangerous situation for the miners or rescuers," Salton said. Ready by end-2012? The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) provided funding for the efforts, which have been underway for the last three years. If all goes well, the Gemini-Scout could be ready to head underground by the end of 2012. Sandia said the team is in the final stages of licensing Gemini-Scout to a commercial robotics company, but for now, the Mine Safety and Health Administration will be the primary customer. — LBG, GMA News>