In this proposal, we identify dual-use applications of self-guided navigation and systems, initially developed for commercial purposes, that can be applied to unmanned minesweeping operations. Several position sensor-aided inertial navigation systems including GPS+INS, laser+INS, RF+INS and RF/AF+INS schemes will be investigated. A combined suite of navigation systems will be designed to provide robust and accurate guidance of a high mobility unmanned ground robotic vehicle in mine detection and sweeping scenarios. The portable lightweight robotic system for mine detection operations would be capable of maneuvering itself in a rapid controlled pattern to sweep for mines in a field and recording the area that it has swept.
Benefits: The significance of automated ground robots for mine detection will improve US Armys troop mobility and safety via autonomous mine sweeping operation. Mine fields in many war torn countries are dangerous to the population and rendered useless for utility and development such as farmland, dwelling, etc. Therefore, such technology advancement for clearing minefields therefore has both military and civilian significance.
Keywords: Autonomous robots, navigation, guidance, self-guided systems, mine detection, portable high mobility
