GICHD Innovation Session on Mine Action in Ukraine​

INNOVATION SESSION - UKRAINE
The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) recently held its "Innovation Session: Mine Action in Ukraine" in Kyiv on February 12-13, 2025. This strategic gathering brought together experts and stakeholders focused on enhancing landmine detection and clearance processes in Ukraine.
The two-day event was structured around several key themes, with particular emphasis on Gap Analysis and Multisensory Robotic Systems. The sessions explored critical driving questions such as improving Land Release efficiency, enhancing coordination at the national level, scaling innovative methods, and establishing criteria for evaluating new technologies based on Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs).
Of significant interest were the discussions on UAV detection capabilities for subsurface hazards, exploring how multiple sensor data can be effectively fused to ensure accurate hazard classification with high detection probability and low false positive rates. The sessions also examined how mechanical demining and unmanned ground systems (UGS) could maximize productivity in land release operations.
A key conclusion highlighted the necessity to change standards for landmine detection and clearance, with UAVs equipped with AI, optical sensors, RGB cameras, temperature cameras, and magnetometers playing a crucial role. The approach advocated for discriminating areas according to contamination levels: "clear" areas, lightly polluted areas (containing antipersonnel landmines and plastic mines), and heavily polluted areas (containing antitank landmines, ammunition depots, and RPG-7 shots).
This collaborative event represents an important step forward in addressing Ukraine's complex demining challenges through innovation and knowledge sharing among international experts.

Remarkable Progress on Modular Mechatronic Interface for Landmine Detection

F&M Hosts UNIFI
Franklin & Marshall University recently welcomed colleagues from the University of Florence (UNIFI) to collaborate on the Modular Mechatronic Interface design for robot configuration with metal detector. This visit facilitated important progress on the project.
At F&M facilities, the teams completed the mechanical design work and utilized 3D printing capabilities to fabricate several plastic components needed for the system. This allowed for the full assembly to be completed during the visit.
Field testing demonstrated the system's effectiveness in detecting two different types of landmines through automatic audio signal processing. The testing provided valuable data on the integrated solution's performance under realistic conditions.
This collaboration between F&M and UNIFI represents an important step in addressing humanitarian demining challenges. The modular approach developed during this exchange offers adaptability for various deployment scenarios that may be encountered in future applications.
The visit established a solid foundation for the next phases of this research project, with the integration of hardware components and detection algorithms showing promising results toward our project objectives.

Prof. Capineri's team visits F&M facilities

UNIFI goes to F&M
The recent visit of Prof. Capineri to Franklin & Marshall University marked an exhilarating chapter in our ongoing research collaboration! The purpose was the assessment of landmines (plastic, metal and low metal content) with a commercial CEIA MIL D1 metal detector mounted on a robotic platform remotely controlled.
During this energetic knowledge exchange, our teams conducted several practical demonstrations using the robotic platform equipped with the CEIA MIL D1 detector. We tested the system's capabilities across various scenarios, embedding different types of deactivated landmine specimens in controlled testing environments. The remote control interface allowed operators to navigate challenging terrains while maintaining a safe distance - a critical feature for real-world applications.
The teams specifically focused on analyzing detection sensitivity thresholds for the challenging low metal content mines, which typically evade conventional detection methods. Through methodical testing procedures, we gathered valuable data on signal responses and environmental interference patterns that will inform our future algorithm refinements. This practical problem-solving approach exemplified the power of our cross-institutional partnership!
The knowledge sharing extended beyond technical demonstrations to include discussions on potential field deployment strategies and integration with other sensing technologies in our development pipeline.
We're incredibly enthusiastic about how this milestone strengthens our collaborative framework and accelerates our progress toward more effective humanitarian demining solutions!