Researchers from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) are leading the implementation of a new kind of autonomous underground robot with intelligent navigation for urban environments. The system, developed within the framework of the European research project BADGER, aims to become a model for excavation technologies because of its high economic and social impact.
Participating in the project, which is coordinated by the UC3M Robotics Lab, are researchers from Germany, Greece, Italy and the United Kingdom. Its goal is to develop an intelligent system for the autonomous excavation of small diameter, high gradient tunnels in urban environments. “The use of innovative localization, mapping and navigation techniques, along with sensors and georadars, will allow them to be adapted to different land surfaces and aid in the analysis of the work environment and decision making in attaining the goals,” stated project coordinator, Carlos Balaguer, full professor in the UC3M Department of Systems Engineering and Automation.
BADGER (roBot for Autonomous unDerGround trenchless opERations, mapping and navigation) is a project that incorporates several innovations. The main one is this new application of robotics to an underground environment. Until now, robotics was a field focused especially on walking or rolling surface robots and flying or underwater robots. Autonomous navigation, meanwhile, is another of the project’s strong points, as all the sensors, georadars and computers will be integrated in the machine, which enables them to make a much more precise and controlled exploration of the land. Lastly, the use of ultrasound techniques to perforate the ground, accompanied by a 3D printer on the robot itself to reinforce the tunnel where the cables and tubes lie, also plays an essential role.
Sustainability in cities and support for rescue efforts
According to the researchers, BADGER is a distinctly ecological robot because it enables sustainable transformation of very congested environments such as modern cities. Thus, it will have an intelligent system that allows installations such as wiring or scoring to be built without trenches or the rerouting of traffic. “Given that the whole process will take place underground, noise pollution and contamination will be reduced,” said the researchers.
The implementation of these advanced robotics technologies, with cognitive and control abilities, has multiple applications. “It will notably increase European competitiveness in search and rescue operations (landslides), mining activities, applications with civilian use like water pipes, gas and fiber optics, exploration techniques, mapping, etc.,” Balaguer pointed out.
Learn more: Intelligent underground robot for urban environments is designed
The Latest on: Autonomous underground excavation robot
[google_news title=”” keyword=”autonomous underground excavation robot” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]- VCs and the military are fueling self-driving startups that don’t need roadson May 18, 2024 at 8:00 am
A new crop of early-stage startups — along with some recent VC investments — illustrates a niche emerging in the autonomous vehicle technology sector.
- Vehicles Newson May 17, 2024 at 5:00 pm
11, 2024 — Despite their great trust in the on-board autopilot, bridge officers do not believe that autonomous ships will ... Advanced Army Robots More Likely to Be Blamed for Deaths Mar ...
- Is this autonomous security guard robot the protection you need?on May 17, 2024 at 2:59 am
Gone are the days of the traditional security guard. Now, robots are taking over the night shift and beyond. Cobalt’s robots are custom-built to navigate the unique challenges of each building ...
- Asia Pacific Construction & Demolition Robots Market Analysis, Key Segments, Share, Size, Growth Status, and Forecast to 2024 to 2032on May 16, 2024 at 12:08 am
Asia Pacific Construction & Demolition Robots Market 2022-2032 by Product Type (Traditional Robots, Robotic ARMs, Exoskeletons), Automation (Semi-Autonomous, Fully Autonomous), Function (Demolition, ...
- North America Construction & Demolition Robots Market Top Players, Revenue, Share, Future Trends, Size, Report and Forecast to 2024 to 2032on May 16, 2024 at 12:04 am
North America Construction & Demolition Robots Market 2022-2032 by Product Type (Traditional Robots, Robotic ARMs, Exoskeletons), Automation (Semi-Autonomous, Fully Autonomous), Function (Demolition, ...
- Why RTK will be essential GPS tech for precision positioningon May 14, 2024 at 9:08 pm
RTK can be used to achieve precision in even more demanding autonomous driving situations. Recently, the Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC) race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway at CES 2024 chose to use ...
- Animal brain inspired AI game changer for autonomous robotson May 14, 2024 at 5:00 pm
The findings were recently published in Science Robotics. Learning from animal brains: spiking neural networks Artificial intelligence holds great potential to provide autonomous robots with the ...
- How AI Is Making Robots More Autonomous and Adaptableon May 14, 2024 at 7:45 am
Speaking as the leader of an advanced robotics companies with one of the largest installed bases of collaborative and autonomous mobile robots, Kumar said a long list of problems remain for industry ...
- "Automation is Bedrock of Productivity" – Built Robotics Exec's Construction Tech Forecaston May 6, 2024 at 10:17 am
Erol Ahmed says autonomous construction equipment and other tech don't have to be scary – they can be brought in piece by piece in easy ways.
- The Best Robot Vacuums for 2024on April 30, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Unlike more traditional canister or stick models, robot vacuums are autonomous and (for the most part) intelligent. The vacuums we've tested use lasers, motherboards, sensors, and even Wi-Fi to ...
via Google News and Bing News