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First fully autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle (uav) in development with AutoModality Drone Anticipated for Commercial Release in Late 2020

First fully autonomous unmanned aerial

vehicle (uav) in development with AutoModality Drone Anticipated for Commercial Release in Late 2020

Since late 2018, the RESPEC Mining & Energy (M&E) business unit has partnered with AutoModality to create the world’s first fully UAV for search and rescue, inspection, and mapping in underground mines. The partnership began with Jay Nopola (Vice President, M&E) and Dan Hennage (AutoModality) and has grown into more than $500,000 in revenue over the last 2½ years. The project has primarily been funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) but AutoModality and RESPEC have committed private resources to furthering this incredible technology.

Although RESPEC has been performing and supporting underground drone work at potash operations in Saskatchewan, Canada, for several years, this project marks the first time that we have been integrally linked to a novel drone solution development program. Our partnership is showcasing the best skills of M&E—underground mine engineering—along with the autonomous systems expertise of AutoModality to create an industry-specific UAV that is truly special.

Powered by artificial intelligence running on an advanced onboard mobile processor, the brains of the UAV collect data from Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), infrared, and visible light sensors and control the UAV’s movement based on a mine map and mission specifications that direct the UAV where to go and what actions to take. The technology developed through this project will reduce personnel exposure to unsafe conditions and potentially eliminate the need for expensive ground-support rehabilitation when attempting to identify problems and access unmaintained areas underground.

In addition to expanding the reach of UAV systems into unsafe workings, several important potential applications for this technology are as follows:

»Condition assessments during emergencies (e.g., the presence offire, smoke, and obstructions)

»Delivery of emergency supplies to trapped miners

»Automated inspections of shafts, stopes, and other access-limited areas

»Regular, repeatable inspections of ground support and/or equipment conditions

»Access to working areas without interrupting equipment operation.

According to RESPEC’s Remote Geotechnics Program Lead, Ben Haugen, “This technology has the potential to completely change how geotechnical engineers, search and rescue personnel, and other miners do their jobs in underground mines. The mobility and reliability of our UAV system will make every miner safer while providing valuable data in a fraction of the time normally required.”

The UAV platform is anticipated for commercial release in late 2020.

“This technology has the potential to completely change how geotechnical engineers, search and rescue personnel, and other miners do their jobs in underground mines.”

// Ben Haugen

For information about UAV technology, please contact RESPEC’s Ben Haugen, Remote Geotechnics Program Lead, at Ben.Haugen@respec.com