UNIFI and IRE USIKOV joint test in Florence

Field test in Florence
NATO SPS G-7563 Unified System Testing in Florence: A Milestone in International Collaboration
The NATO SPS G-7563 Remote Landmine Detection project team has successfully completed unified system testing activities in Florence, Italy, through a strategic collaboration between the University of Florence (UNIFI) and the O.Ya. Usikov Institute for Radiophysics and Electronics (IRE USIKOV). This testing phase represents a critical milestone in validating our integrated robotic demining platform under controlled yet realistic operational conditions.

Technical Validation and Results
The Florence testing campaign focused on comprehensive system integration validation, examining the synergistic performance of our multi-sensor detection platform. The collaborative testing activities evaluated:
  • Ground Penetrating Radar Performance: Validation of impulse GPR systems in various soil conditions representative of post-conflict environments, with particular emphasis on detection depth and false positive reduction.
  • Holographic Subsurface Radar Array: Assessment of HSR spatial resolution and target classification accuracy through controlled test scenarios developed jointly by UNIFI and IRE USIKOV teams.
  • Sensor Fusion Algorithms: Real-world validation of AI-based data fusion techniques combining electromagnetic sensor outputs with environmental parameters.
  • Robotic Platform Integration: End-to-end system testing including navigation, sensor positioning, and autonomous detection workflows in simulated field conditions.

The results obtained during the Florence testing phase demonstrate valid and reproducible performance metrics, confirming the technical soundness of our integrated approach. These outcomes directly support our progression toward Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5, providing empirical evidence of system functionality in relevant operational environments.

Human Capital and International Team Building
Beyond the technical achievements, the unified testing activities in Florence provided an invaluable opportunity for team building within our complex, multidisciplinary, and geographically diverse project consortium. The face-to-face collaboration between UNIFI and IRE USIKOV researchers fostered:
  • Knowledge Exchange: Direct transfer of expertise between electromagnetic theory specialists, robotics engineers, and AI researchers from different institutional and cultural backgrounds.
  • Operational Synchronization: Alignment of testing protocols, data collection methodologies, and quality assurance procedures across partner institutions.
  • Interpersonal Relationships: Strengthening of collaborative bonds essential for effective coordination in a project spanning multiple countries, disciplines, and organizational cultures.
  • Shared Problem-Solving: Joint resolution of technical challenges encountered during testing, creating a unified approach to system optimization.

Strategic Contribution to Project Objectives
The Florence testing campaign represents a significant contribution to the NATO SPS G-7563 project at multiple levels. Technologically, the validated results provide a solid foundation for the next development phases, informing hardware refinements and algorithm optimization. The empirical data collected will support peer-reviewed publications and enhance the scientific credibility of our approach within the international demining community.
From a human and organizational perspective, the unified testing activities exemplify the collaborative spirit essential to complex international projects. The ability to successfully coordinate multidisciplinary teams from diverse geographical origins bringing together Italian and Ukrainian expertise in controlled testing environments demonstrates the project's capacity to transcend technical and logistical challenges.

This collaborative achievement reinforces our commitment to the humanitarian mission of the NATO SPS G-7563 project: advancing robotic demining technologies to accelerate post-conflict recovery and community rehabilitation. The validated systems tested in Florence bring us closer to deployable solutions for humanitarian demining operations in affected regions, particularly Ukraine and other post-conflict areas requiring rapid and safe landmine clearance.
The NATO SPS G-7563 project continues its mission to transform humanitarian demining through international scientific collaboration, combining cutting-edge technology with the human expertise necessary to address one of the most persistent challenges facing post-conflict societies.

The NATO SPS G-7563 Remote Landmine Detection project team has successfully participated in the prestigious DIPED 2025 conference, presenting groundbreaking research in electromagnetic wave theory applications for humanitarian demining.

DIPED 2025
The NATO SPS G-7563 Remote Landmine Detection project team has successfully participated in the prestigious DIPED 2025 conference, presenting groundbreaking research in electromagnetic wave theory applications for humanitarian demining.

Our team's participation at DIPED 2025 demonstrates the significant progress made in integrating advanced electromagnetic sensing technologies into humanitarian demining robotics. The conference provided an ideal platform to share our innovative approaches in:
  • Ground Penetrating Radar Integration: Advanced impulse GPR systems for subsurface threat detection in robotic platforms.
  • Holographic Subsurface Radar: Novel HSR array implementation for enhanced landmine detection accuracy.
  • Sensor Data Fusion: Multi-sensor integration techniques combining electromagnetic and AI-based detection methods.
  • Electromagnetic Wave Theory: Theoretical foundations supporting direct and inverse problem solutions in demining applications.
The presentation of our research at DIPED 2025 reinforces the international recognition of the NATO SPS G-7563 project's contributions to both the scientific community and humanitarian demining efforts. The conference's focus on electromagnetic and acoustic wave theory directly aligns with our project's core technologies, particularly our Ground Penetrating Radar and Holographic Subsurface Radar systems.
This participation supports our goal of achieving Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 by validating our system through peer review and scientific validation within the international research community. The proceedings will be included in the IEEE Xplore Digital Library and indexed in Scopus, ensuring wide dissemination of our research findings.​

The feedback and connections established at DIPED 2025 will inform the continued development of our modular robotic platform, particularly in optimizing the electromagnetic sensor configurations for field deployment in post-conflict areas such as Ukraine.
The NATO SPS G-7563 project continues its mission to advance humanitarian demining through innovative robotic solutions, contributing to safer post-conflict recovery and community rehabilitation.

Research Breakthrough: Advanced Multisensor Systems Presented at URSI AP-RASC Conference

URSI AP-RASC 2025
We are proud to announce that significant research advancements from our demining robots project have been presented at the prestigious URSI AP-RASC Conference in Sydney, Australia (17-22 August 2025).

Two Groundbreaking Papers Showcase Project Progress
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1. "Multisensor imaging systems for landmines detection"
Our international research team, led by Prof. Lorenzo Capineri (University of Florence), Prof. Gennadiy Pochanin (Ukraine's National Academy of Sciences), and colleagues from Franklin & Marshall College and Tohoku University, presented a comprehensive comparison between advanced multisensor systems:
-Portable dual sensor ALIS system
-Remote-controlled cooperating robot teams
-Both approaches integrate penetrating microwave radars with metal detectors, demonstrating superior performance in detecting anti-personnel mines, particularly those with low metal content.

2. "A complementary approach based on ultrawideband and narrow band radar for anti-personnel landmine detection"
This second presentation highlighted our innovative dual-radar approach:
-Ultra-wideband (UWB) radars for depth resolution and dielectric discontinuity detection
-Narrow-band radars for high-resolution imaging and shape determination
-Remote-controlled robotic platforms to minimize operator risk
-Scientific Validation and Real-World Impact

Project Team Presents Research Results at IWAGPR Conference in Thessaloniki

IWAGPR2025
Our research team recently presented the latest developments and findings from our multi-sensor cooperative robotics project at the International Workshop on Advanced Ground Penetrating Radar (IWAGPR) in Thessaloniki, Greece.

The presentations highlighted our innovative approach to landmine detection, identification, and positioning using a coordinated team of robots equipped with complementary sensor technologies. Key results demonstrated the system's effectiveness in detecting both buried plastic and metal-cased landmines, as well as surface-scattered threats, through the integration of microwave radar, LiDAR, optical cameras, and metal detection systems.

The research showcased significant advances in artificial intelligence-based data fusion techniques for improved detection and classification capabilities, particularly for challenging targets such as low-metal-content plastic mines. Additionally, the team presented developments in 3D UWB positioning systems utilizing artificial neural networks for enhanced spatial accuracy.
The system architecture enables remote operation with minimal risk to personnel while maintaining precise target mapping capabilities with sub-10cm accuracy through integrated GNSS technology. These technological advances represent important progress toward safer and more efficient explosive threat detection methodologies.
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The presentations contributed valuable insights to the international research community working on advanced ground penetrating radar applications and humanitarian demining technologies.

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!