Scout robot

Immediate after a mining accident, rescue workers work against the clock to assess the situation and save the miners. However, countless dangers lurk: Poisonous gases, flooded tunnels, explosive vapours and unstable walls and roofs. Such potentially deadly conditions and unknown obstacles can slow rescue efforts to a frustrating pace.

To hasten such rescue efforts, engineers at Sandia National Laboratories have developed a robot that would eliminate some of the uncertainties during mine rescue operations and arm rescue workers with the most valuable tool: Information. Sandia robotics engineers, according to a press release, have designed the Gemini-Scout Mine Rescue Robot, which locates dangers and provides relief to trapped miners. It is able to navigate through 18 inches of water, crawl over boulders, rubble piles, and move ahead of rescuers to evaluate precarious environments and help plan operations.

“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,” said Jon Salton, Sandia engineer and project manager.