South Korea claims to have completed research on the use of robots to autonomously explore tunnels

South Korea develops robot that can autonomously explore underground tunnels

Recently , the South Korean Defense Development Agency announced that it has completed technical research on the use of robots to autonomously explore tunnels.

The U.S. Defense Development Agency announced on June 21 that over the past three years, it has cooperated with the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command's Ground Vehicle System to conduct applied research on robots that can automatically detect tunnels.

The US Defense Development Agency said: "In this study, both South Korean and US scientific research institutions adopted common middleware, and data formats to help establish robot-based joint combat capabilities." At the same time, both sides have developed their own robot systems and related software.

It is reported that the Korea Defense Development Agency has independently researched, designed and produced a modular robot in cooperation with its domestic defense contractor Hanwha Defense.

It is said that this robot integrates two-dimensional/three-dimensional simultaneous positioning and map creation/mapping technology, autonomous exploration technology based on deep reinforcement learning, depth-based target recognition technology, etc., and can explore underground tunnels and risks without terrain and generate three-dimensional maps of the exploration area.

It is also equipped with technology-based recognition, judgment and exploration software, and can be modified to perform different tasks. In addition, a single operator can remotely control it through a tablet, allowing users to use multiple systems at the same time.

"Even in caves and underground facilities where GPS reception is not possible, the robot using ATE (Automatic Tunnel Exploration) technology is able to conduct and explore areas without prior information," the ADF said.

During the applied research, a prototype robot successfully explored a 1.5-kilometer underground cave by identifying various types of hazardous objects, detecting contaminated areas and creating high-resolution 3D maps, the agency said.

The South Korean Agency for Defense Development also described on its website the application prospects of this technology in the "future battlefield" - replacing humans in performing reconnaissance and attack missions in caves and dangerous facilities, and plans to use this technology for system development within ten years.

"Once deployed on the battlefield, robots using ATE technology will be able to ensure the safety of combatants in underground operations and urban street fighting, and improve combat efficiency to a certain extent," said a press release from the Korea Defense Development Agency. "In the private sector, such robots can enter difficult-to-access dangerous places such as collapsed buildings, disaster sites, and facilities such as nuclear power plants."

Review editor: Liu Qing