Gemini-Scout robot can scope out mining accidents, may save lives (video)

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Within the first moments after a mining accident, first responders work against the clock to evaluate the placement and save the miners. But countless dangers lurk: poisonous gases, flooded tunnels, explosive vapors and unstable walls and roofs. Such potentially deadly conditions and unknown obstacles can slow rescue efforts to a frustrating pace.

To hurry rescue efforts, engineers at Sandia National Laboratories have developed a robot that will eliminate among the unknowns of mine rescue operations and arm first responders with probably the most valuable tool: information.

Sandia robotics engineers have designed the Gemini-Scout Mine Rescue Robot, which finds dangers and may provide relief to trapped miners. It’s ready to navigate through 18 inches of water, crawl over boulders and rubble piles, and move in earlier than rescuers to assess precarious environments and help plan operations.

“We have now designed this robot to head in sooner than its handlers, to evaluate the location and potential hazards and permit operations to go more quickly,” said Jon Salton, Sandia engineer and project manager. “The robot is guided by handheld remote control and is provided with gas sensors, a thermal camera to find survivors and another pan-and-tilt camera mounted several feet as much as see the obstacles we’re facing.”

Below four feet long and two feet tall, Gemini-Scout is nimble enough to navigate around tight corners and over safety hatches a foot high. Moreover giving rescuers a concept of what they’re headed into, the robotic scout can haul food, air packs and medication to these trapped underground. It’s equipped with two-way radios and may be configured to tug survivors to safety.

Designers built the Gemini-Scout to barter nearly every known mine hazard. Methane and other gases can ignite if exposed to sparks, so the electronics are housed in casings designed to resist an explosion. “Such measures would prevent a spark from causing further destruction. While it would harm the robot, it wouldn’t create another dangerous situation for the miners or rescuers,” Salton said.

To make sure functionality in flooded tunnels, Gemini-Scout’s controls and kit had to be waterproof. “Once we were designing a robot that may provide this level of assistance, we needed to be conscious of the pressures and gases which might be often present in that environment,” said Sandia engineer Clint Hobart, who was answerable for the mechanical design and system integration. “So we needed to ensure the strength of fabrics matched what our goals were, and we needed to keep everything lightweight enough so it may navigate easily.”

Besides, engineers needed to build something intuitive for brand spanking new operators who ought to learn the system quickly. To beat that challenge, they used an Xbox 360 game controller to direct Gemini-Scout. “We focused a whole lot on usability and copied many of gamer interfaces in order that users can pick it up pretty quickly,” said Sandia engineer Justin Garretson, the lead software developer.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) provided funding for the efforts, which were underway for the last three years. If all goes well, the Gemini-Scout is likely to be able to head underground by the tip of next year. The team is within the final stages of licensing Gemini-Scout to a commercial robotics company, but for now, the Mine Safety and Health Administration could be the primary customer.

“We anticipate that this technology is broad enough to be appealing to other first responders, reminiscent of police, firefighters and medical personnel,” Salton said. “Gemini-Scout could easily be suited to handle earthquake and fire scenarios, and we predict this may provide real relief in currently inaccessible situations.”