This project aims to develop a small, bio-inspired robot that can safely assess air quality and structural hazards in underground mines after blasting.
Underground mining is essential for extracting minerals, including several critical ones, but can present significant safety risks, particularly after blasting operations. Following a blast, hazardous fumes and unstable rock conditions can endanger miners. Currently, re-entry decisions are often based on empirical estimates of ventilation time rather than real-time measurements, and newly exposed rock surfaces may remain unstable. This project proposes the development of a small, bio-inspired robot capable of navigating confined underground environments to assess post-blast conditions. The robot will measure transient concentrations of blast fumes near active mining zones and inspect freshly exposed areas for potential hazards before human re-entry. Designed to maneuver through tight spaces while maintaining sufficient endurance, the robot will operate under challenging environmental conditions. The research will also advance the fundamental understanding of locomotion dynamics for small-scale robots (10–30 cm) interacting with complex substrates. Laboratory testing will examine robot–surface interactions and sensor performance under conditions that mimic underground environments. The outcomes will establish foundational knowledge for robotic systems that improve safety and decision-making in confined mining operations.
Researchers
Ashish Ranjan Kumar
