Autonomous Mobile Inspection Robots in Deep Underground Mining—The Current State of the Art and Future Perspectives
In this article, the current state of the art in the area of autonomously working and mobile robots used for inspections in deep underground mining and exploration is described, and directions for future development are highlighted. The increasing demand for CRMs (critical raw materials) and deeper...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/12/3598 |
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| author | Martyna Konieczna-Fuławka Anton Koval George Nikolakopoulos Matteo Fumagalli Laura Santas Moreu Victor Vigara-Puche Jakob Müller Michael Prenner |
| author_facet | Martyna Konieczna-Fuławka Anton Koval George Nikolakopoulos Matteo Fumagalli Laura Santas Moreu Victor Vigara-Puche Jakob Müller Michael Prenner |
| author_sort | Martyna Konieczna-Fuławka |
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| description | In this article, the current state of the art in the area of autonomously working and mobile robots used for inspections in deep underground mining and exploration is described, and directions for future development are highlighted. The increasing demand for CRMs (critical raw materials) and deeper excavations pose a higher risk for people and require new solutions in the maintenance and inspection of both underground machines and excavations. Mitigation of risks and a reduction in accidents (fatal, serious and light) may be achieved by the implementation of mobile or partly autonomous solutions such as drones for exploration, robots for exploration or initial excavation, etc. This study examines various types of mobile unmanned robots such as ANYmal on legs, robots on a tracked chassis, or flying drones. The main scope of this review is the evaluation of the effectiveness and technological advancement in the aspect of improving safety and efficiency in deep underground and abandoned mines. Notable possibilities are multi-sensor systems or cooperative behaviors in systems which involve many robots. This study also highlights the challenges and difficulties of working and navigating (in an environment where we cannot use GNSS or GPS systems) in deep underground mines. Mobile inspection robots have a major role in transforming underground operations; nevertheless, there are still aspects that need to be developed. Further improvement might focus on increasing autonomy, improving sensor technology, and the integration of robots with existing mining infrastructure. This might lead to safer and more efficient extraction and the SmartMine of the future. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-073487ead3fd4e479d5d726cd8545a82 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1424-8220 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Sensors |
| spelling | doaj-art-073487ead3fd4e479d5d726cd8545a822025-08-20T03:29:35ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202025-06-012512359810.3390/s25123598Autonomous Mobile Inspection Robots in Deep Underground Mining—The Current State of the Art and Future PerspectivesMartyna Konieczna-Fuławka0Anton Koval1George Nikolakopoulos2Matteo Fumagalli3Laura Santas Moreu4Victor Vigara-Puche5Jakob Müller6Michael Prenner7Faculty of Geoengineering, Mining and Geology, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, 15 Na Grobli Street, 50-421 Wrocław, PolandDepartment of Computer Science, Electrical and Space Engineering, Signals and Systems, Luleå University of Technology, 971 87 Luleå, SwedenDepartment of Computer Science, Electrical and Space Engineering, Signals and Systems, Luleå University of Technology, 971 87 Luleå, SwedenDepartment of Computer Science, Electrical and Space Engineering, Signals and Systems, Luleå University of Technology, 971 87 Luleå, SwedenDepartment of Electrical and Photonics Engineering Automation and Control, Technical University of Denmark, Elektrovej, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, DenmarkDepartment of Electrical and Photonics Engineering Automation and Control, Technical University of Denmark, Elektrovej, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, DenmarkChair of Mining Engineering and Mineral Economics—Conveying Technologies, Montanuniversität Leoben, Franz-Josef-Straße 18, 8700 Leoben, AustriaChair of Mining Engineering and Mineral Economics—Conveying Technologies, Montanuniversität Leoben, Franz-Josef-Straße 18, 8700 Leoben, AustriaIn this article, the current state of the art in the area of autonomously working and mobile robots used for inspections in deep underground mining and exploration is described, and directions for future development are highlighted. The increasing demand for CRMs (critical raw materials) and deeper excavations pose a higher risk for people and require new solutions in the maintenance and inspection of both underground machines and excavations. Mitigation of risks and a reduction in accidents (fatal, serious and light) may be achieved by the implementation of mobile or partly autonomous solutions such as drones for exploration, robots for exploration or initial excavation, etc. This study examines various types of mobile unmanned robots such as ANYmal on legs, robots on a tracked chassis, or flying drones. The main scope of this review is the evaluation of the effectiveness and technological advancement in the aspect of improving safety and efficiency in deep underground and abandoned mines. Notable possibilities are multi-sensor systems or cooperative behaviors in systems which involve many robots. This study also highlights the challenges and difficulties of working and navigating (in an environment where we cannot use GNSS or GPS systems) in deep underground mines. Mobile inspection robots have a major role in transforming underground operations; nevertheless, there are still aspects that need to be developed. Further improvement might focus on increasing autonomy, improving sensor technology, and the integration of robots with existing mining infrastructure. This might lead to safer and more efficient extraction and the SmartMine of the future.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/12/3598mobile inspection robotsautonomy in underground miningautonomous roboticscondition monitoring |
| spellingShingle | Martyna Konieczna-Fuławka Anton Koval George Nikolakopoulos Matteo Fumagalli Laura Santas Moreu Victor Vigara-Puche Jakob Müller Michael Prenner Autonomous Mobile Inspection Robots in Deep Underground Mining—The Current State of the Art and Future Perspectives Sensors mobile inspection robots autonomy in underground mining autonomous robotics condition monitoring |
| title | Autonomous Mobile Inspection Robots in Deep Underground Mining—The Current State of the Art and Future Perspectives |
| title_full | Autonomous Mobile Inspection Robots in Deep Underground Mining—The Current State of the Art and Future Perspectives |
| title_fullStr | Autonomous Mobile Inspection Robots in Deep Underground Mining—The Current State of the Art and Future Perspectives |
| title_full_unstemmed | Autonomous Mobile Inspection Robots in Deep Underground Mining—The Current State of the Art and Future Perspectives |
| title_short | Autonomous Mobile Inspection Robots in Deep Underground Mining—The Current State of the Art and Future Perspectives |
| title_sort | autonomous mobile inspection robots in deep underground mining the current state of the art and future perspectives |
| topic | mobile inspection robots autonomy in underground mining autonomous robotics condition monitoring |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/12/3598 |
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