Robotics & Remote Sensing for HMA & ERW Survey: Southeast Asia Feasibility Study with LMIC Collaborator Engagement
Lead Research Organisation:
CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY
Department Name: Cranfield Defence and Security
Abstract
To build international collaborations in LMIC countries contaminated by landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) to determine how; robotics, space, aerial and ground-based sensing can help improve the land-release process, increase productivity and provide better safety for the survey and eventual clean-up of environments contaminated by explosive hazards. To also help educate representatives from LMIC countries regarding benefits provided by autonomous & semi-autonomous robotics, both airborne and ground-based. Building collaborations, staging a workshop and completing a feasibility study is expected to lead to large scale, follow on project developing systems and field testing techniques aimed at helping deal with deadly contamination that has plagued Southeast Asia for decades.
Planned Impact
This feasibility study/collaboration building project is expected to be a catalyst to pave the way for a larger project, securing permissions, technical support and political will to collaborate regarding system development of robotics and remote sensing systems for the survey of landmines and explosive remnants of war.
Knowledge transfer will help LMIC representatives better understand such novel technology to de-risk full-scale deployment and provide a solid basis for translational funding. Collaboration will be essential for testing in-country and to make sure systems offer value and are fit for purpose.
Holding in-country workshops and field visits to contaminated sites will also help UK researchers gain a better understanding of LMIC needs. The socio-economic impact of removing explosive remnants of war is far reaching, impacting; food production, transport, housing, water supply and infrastructure. A secondary benefit to the UK of this research is that it will be a stepping stone to help with security in other post-conflict environments, helping improve global stability as well as providing a platform from which novel sensing and robotics technologies can be developed and potentially spun into other relevant sectors.
Knowledge transfer will help LMIC representatives better understand such novel technology to de-risk full-scale deployment and provide a solid basis for translational funding. Collaboration will be essential for testing in-country and to make sure systems offer value and are fit for purpose.
Holding in-country workshops and field visits to contaminated sites will also help UK researchers gain a better understanding of LMIC needs. The socio-economic impact of removing explosive remnants of war is far reaching, impacting; food production, transport, housing, water supply and infrastructure. A secondary benefit to the UK of this research is that it will be a stepping stone to help with security in other post-conflict environments, helping improve global stability as well as providing a platform from which novel sensing and robotics technologies can be developed and potentially spun into other relevant sectors.
Publications
| Description | RRSHMA Consortium & Mine Action Regulators & Operators |
| Organisation | Cambodian Mine Action Center |
| Country | Cambodia |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | The RRSHMA consortium founded and developed partnerships with the Cambodian Governmental mine action regulator - CMAA (Cambodian Mine Action & Victim Assistance Authority), and the largest Cambodian mine action operator - CMAC (Cambodian Mine Action Center), along with large INGO operators; The HALO Trust, MAG (Mine Advisory Group), NPA (Norwegian People's Aid) and smaller NGOs such as APOPO and Golden West (indirectly) as part of the proposed RRSHMA pilot project activities. Initial founding of the partnerships with CMAA and CMAC were essential as part of planning and preparation activities for the Technology Workshop. the RRSHMA research team engaged with both CMAA and CMAC separately through Face-to-Face meetings, with CMAA blessing being given by the Secretary General in the run-up to the Workshop, where both parties were formally invited to attend and contribute to the discussion (of which, both accepted and were well represented). Additional to formal forum provided at the Technology Workshop, the consortium held extended technical discussions with both operators and regulators in Cambodia, where technical concepts proposed from both sides were discussed at great length, proving to be an efficient forum for bi-directional knowledge transfer. This interaction provide a unique interface for the operators and regulators to gain technical knowledge from specialists in Robotics, Computer Science, Remote Sensing and UAV operations. Interestingly, the UAV knowledge transfer was highly successful and the focal point for a large portion of the discussion. The RRSHMA hosted Technology Workshop was formatted such to provide all present with a thorough introduction to the project, the consortium and their respective specialisms and potential contributions to the Mine Action Sector. Following this introduction, a workshop style session was designed to split the room into manageable groups for more detailed conversations on the topics of Robotics, Automation & Sensing and UAV operations, with the audience groups rotating "stations" manned by the present representatives of the consortium. The afternoon session was intended as an opportunity for the operators (whom do not regularly interact or share processes in such a public manner) to share technological developments which they have been pursuing internally which proved effective in sparking discussion not only with the consortium, but facilitated inter-organisational discussion in a very collaborative fashion The Workshop culminated in a productive and frank round-table technical discussion which proved fruitful for both the consortium, the operators and regulators. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners identified were fundamental in ensuring a successful in-country visit for the RRSHMA consortium. CMAC, HALO Trust and MAG hosted the RRSHMA consortium for field site visits which greatly deepened the researchers understanding of the key operating environments (a primary objective of the pilot study). MAG hosted the RRSHMA consortium for field visits around the Ratanakiri province in Cambodia on July 2nd. Visiting a Battle Area Clearance (BAC) site, the RRSHMA consortium were provided meaningful insight by MAG into the processes, procedures and operational considerations operating in cluster munition sites. Further, MAG engaged throughout the day in discussions and interactions with respect to the application of robotics and remote sensing within the mine action sector, all of which invaluable to the consortium in their efforts to gather situational and operational understanding in mine action in Cambodia, and SE Asia in general. The HALO Trust hosted the RRSHMA consortium for field visits along the K5 mine belt (along the Eastern Thai border) on July 6th, where different and equally relevant terrains were observed. Visiting sparse and densely populated sites in both agricultural and mountainous lands added depth to understanding differing terrains which would be required to be overcome. HALO further hosted the RRSHMA consortium on July 7th at their base in Siem Reap where both parties discussed potential technological overlaps and methods of collaborating in the future. Finally, CMAC hosted the RRSHMA consortium for a field visit around Siem Reap province on July 5th. Visiting sparsely populated Anti-Personnel landmine sites, the consortium were able to gather more information regarding the variation of terrains and environments present in Cambodian mine action. Following these visits, CMAC took the consortium to their testing facilities in the locale of Siem Reap which were found to be very suitable for a variety of Rover, Sensor and Autonomy trials, which was very beneficial in understanding the scope of future testing capabilities and testing collaborations. Lastly, a guided visit to the CMAC Mine Action Peace Museum provided historical and contextual information. Contribution provided by the CMAA was focused primarily around their endorsement of support for the Consortium, both through the Secretary General granting blessing on behalf of the CMAA for the consortium to host the workshop and to engage with Cambodian mine action operators, but also through the Secretary General delivering the opening address at the workshop, providing important and much needed legitimacy to the consortium within the sector. The CMAA subsequently provided a Letter of Support to the consortium, which shall form a deliverable of the Pilot Project. |
| Impact | CMAA Letter of Support User & System Requirements Document (TN2) - multi-disciplinary covering Robotics, Remote Sensing, Autonomy and UAV topics, with consideration of Socio-economics also. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | RRSHMA Consortium & Mine Action Regulators & Operators |
| Organisation | Cambodian Mine Action Center |
| Country | Cambodia |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | The RRSHMA consortium founded and developed partnerships with the Cambodian Governmental mine action regulator - CMAA (Cambodian Mine Action & Victim Assistance Authority), and the largest Cambodian mine action operator - CMAC (Cambodian Mine Action Center), along with large INGO operators; The HALO Trust, MAG (Mine Advisory Group), NPA (Norwegian People's Aid) and smaller NGOs such as APOPO and Golden West (indirectly) as part of the proposed RRSHMA pilot project activities. Initial founding of the partnerships with CMAA and CMAC were essential as part of planning and preparation activities for the Technology Workshop. the RRSHMA research team engaged with both CMAA and CMAC separately through Face-to-Face meetings, with CMAA blessing being given by the Secretary General in the run-up to the Workshop, where both parties were formally invited to attend and contribute to the discussion (of which, both accepted and were well represented). Additional to formal forum provided at the Technology Workshop, the consortium held extended technical discussions with both operators and regulators in Cambodia, where technical concepts proposed from both sides were discussed at great length, proving to be an efficient forum for bi-directional knowledge transfer. This interaction provide a unique interface for the operators and regulators to gain technical knowledge from specialists in Robotics, Computer Science, Remote Sensing and UAV operations. Interestingly, the UAV knowledge transfer was highly successful and the focal point for a large portion of the discussion. The RRSHMA hosted Technology Workshop was formatted such to provide all present with a thorough introduction to the project, the consortium and their respective specialisms and potential contributions to the Mine Action Sector. Following this introduction, a workshop style session was designed to split the room into manageable groups for more detailed conversations on the topics of Robotics, Automation & Sensing and UAV operations, with the audience groups rotating "stations" manned by the present representatives of the consortium. The afternoon session was intended as an opportunity for the operators (whom do not regularly interact or share processes in such a public manner) to share technological developments which they have been pursuing internally which proved effective in sparking discussion not only with the consortium, but facilitated inter-organisational discussion in a very collaborative fashion The Workshop culminated in a productive and frank round-table technical discussion which proved fruitful for both the consortium, the operators and regulators. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners identified were fundamental in ensuring a successful in-country visit for the RRSHMA consortium. CMAC, HALO Trust and MAG hosted the RRSHMA consortium for field site visits which greatly deepened the researchers understanding of the key operating environments (a primary objective of the pilot study). MAG hosted the RRSHMA consortium for field visits around the Ratanakiri province in Cambodia on July 2nd. Visiting a Battle Area Clearance (BAC) site, the RRSHMA consortium were provided meaningful insight by MAG into the processes, procedures and operational considerations operating in cluster munition sites. Further, MAG engaged throughout the day in discussions and interactions with respect to the application of robotics and remote sensing within the mine action sector, all of which invaluable to the consortium in their efforts to gather situational and operational understanding in mine action in Cambodia, and SE Asia in general. The HALO Trust hosted the RRSHMA consortium for field visits along the K5 mine belt (along the Eastern Thai border) on July 6th, where different and equally relevant terrains were observed. Visiting sparse and densely populated sites in both agricultural and mountainous lands added depth to understanding differing terrains which would be required to be overcome. HALO further hosted the RRSHMA consortium on July 7th at their base in Siem Reap where both parties discussed potential technological overlaps and methods of collaborating in the future. Finally, CMAC hosted the RRSHMA consortium for a field visit around Siem Reap province on July 5th. Visiting sparsely populated Anti-Personnel landmine sites, the consortium were able to gather more information regarding the variation of terrains and environments present in Cambodian mine action. Following these visits, CMAC took the consortium to their testing facilities in the locale of Siem Reap which were found to be very suitable for a variety of Rover, Sensor and Autonomy trials, which was very beneficial in understanding the scope of future testing capabilities and testing collaborations. Lastly, a guided visit to the CMAC Mine Action Peace Museum provided historical and contextual information. Contribution provided by the CMAA was focused primarily around their endorsement of support for the Consortium, both through the Secretary General granting blessing on behalf of the CMAA for the consortium to host the workshop and to engage with Cambodian mine action operators, but also through the Secretary General delivering the opening address at the workshop, providing important and much needed legitimacy to the consortium within the sector. The CMAA subsequently provided a Letter of Support to the consortium, which shall form a deliverable of the Pilot Project. |
| Impact | CMAA Letter of Support User & System Requirements Document (TN2) - multi-disciplinary covering Robotics, Remote Sensing, Autonomy and UAV topics, with consideration of Socio-economics also. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | RRSHMA Consortium & Mine Action Regulators & Operators |
| Organisation | Mines Advisory Group |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The RRSHMA consortium founded and developed partnerships with the Cambodian Governmental mine action regulator - CMAA (Cambodian Mine Action & Victim Assistance Authority), and the largest Cambodian mine action operator - CMAC (Cambodian Mine Action Center), along with large INGO operators; The HALO Trust, MAG (Mine Advisory Group), NPA (Norwegian People's Aid) and smaller NGOs such as APOPO and Golden West (indirectly) as part of the proposed RRSHMA pilot project activities. Initial founding of the partnerships with CMAA and CMAC were essential as part of planning and preparation activities for the Technology Workshop. the RRSHMA research team engaged with both CMAA and CMAC separately through Face-to-Face meetings, with CMAA blessing being given by the Secretary General in the run-up to the Workshop, where both parties were formally invited to attend and contribute to the discussion (of which, both accepted and were well represented). Additional to formal forum provided at the Technology Workshop, the consortium held extended technical discussions with both operators and regulators in Cambodia, where technical concepts proposed from both sides were discussed at great length, proving to be an efficient forum for bi-directional knowledge transfer. This interaction provide a unique interface for the operators and regulators to gain technical knowledge from specialists in Robotics, Computer Science, Remote Sensing and UAV operations. Interestingly, the UAV knowledge transfer was highly successful and the focal point for a large portion of the discussion. The RRSHMA hosted Technology Workshop was formatted such to provide all present with a thorough introduction to the project, the consortium and their respective specialisms and potential contributions to the Mine Action Sector. Following this introduction, a workshop style session was designed to split the room into manageable groups for more detailed conversations on the topics of Robotics, Automation & Sensing and UAV operations, with the audience groups rotating "stations" manned by the present representatives of the consortium. The afternoon session was intended as an opportunity for the operators (whom do not regularly interact or share processes in such a public manner) to share technological developments which they have been pursuing internally which proved effective in sparking discussion not only with the consortium, but facilitated inter-organisational discussion in a very collaborative fashion The Workshop culminated in a productive and frank round-table technical discussion which proved fruitful for both the consortium, the operators and regulators. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners identified were fundamental in ensuring a successful in-country visit for the RRSHMA consortium. CMAC, HALO Trust and MAG hosted the RRSHMA consortium for field site visits which greatly deepened the researchers understanding of the key operating environments (a primary objective of the pilot study). MAG hosted the RRSHMA consortium for field visits around the Ratanakiri province in Cambodia on July 2nd. Visiting a Battle Area Clearance (BAC) site, the RRSHMA consortium were provided meaningful insight by MAG into the processes, procedures and operational considerations operating in cluster munition sites. Further, MAG engaged throughout the day in discussions and interactions with respect to the application of robotics and remote sensing within the mine action sector, all of which invaluable to the consortium in their efforts to gather situational and operational understanding in mine action in Cambodia, and SE Asia in general. The HALO Trust hosted the RRSHMA consortium for field visits along the K5 mine belt (along the Eastern Thai border) on July 6th, where different and equally relevant terrains were observed. Visiting sparse and densely populated sites in both agricultural and mountainous lands added depth to understanding differing terrains which would be required to be overcome. HALO further hosted the RRSHMA consortium on July 7th at their base in Siem Reap where both parties discussed potential technological overlaps and methods of collaborating in the future. Finally, CMAC hosted the RRSHMA consortium for a field visit around Siem Reap province on July 5th. Visiting sparsely populated Anti-Personnel landmine sites, the consortium were able to gather more information regarding the variation of terrains and environments present in Cambodian mine action. Following these visits, CMAC took the consortium to their testing facilities in the locale of Siem Reap which were found to be very suitable for a variety of Rover, Sensor and Autonomy trials, which was very beneficial in understanding the scope of future testing capabilities and testing collaborations. Lastly, a guided visit to the CMAC Mine Action Peace Museum provided historical and contextual information. Contribution provided by the CMAA was focused primarily around their endorsement of support for the Consortium, both through the Secretary General granting blessing on behalf of the CMAA for the consortium to host the workshop and to engage with Cambodian mine action operators, but also through the Secretary General delivering the opening address at the workshop, providing important and much needed legitimacy to the consortium within the sector. The CMAA subsequently provided a Letter of Support to the consortium, which shall form a deliverable of the Pilot Project. |
| Impact | CMAA Letter of Support User & System Requirements Document (TN2) - multi-disciplinary covering Robotics, Remote Sensing, Autonomy and UAV topics, with consideration of Socio-economics also. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | RRSHMA Consortium & Mine Action Regulators & Operators |
| Organisation | The HALO Trust |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The RRSHMA consortium founded and developed partnerships with the Cambodian Governmental mine action regulator - CMAA (Cambodian Mine Action & Victim Assistance Authority), and the largest Cambodian mine action operator - CMAC (Cambodian Mine Action Center), along with large INGO operators; The HALO Trust, MAG (Mine Advisory Group), NPA (Norwegian People's Aid) and smaller NGOs such as APOPO and Golden West (indirectly) as part of the proposed RRSHMA pilot project activities. Initial founding of the partnerships with CMAA and CMAC were essential as part of planning and preparation activities for the Technology Workshop. the RRSHMA research team engaged with both CMAA and CMAC separately through Face-to-Face meetings, with CMAA blessing being given by the Secretary General in the run-up to the Workshop, where both parties were formally invited to attend and contribute to the discussion (of which, both accepted and were well represented). Additional to formal forum provided at the Technology Workshop, the consortium held extended technical discussions with both operators and regulators in Cambodia, where technical concepts proposed from both sides were discussed at great length, proving to be an efficient forum for bi-directional knowledge transfer. This interaction provide a unique interface for the operators and regulators to gain technical knowledge from specialists in Robotics, Computer Science, Remote Sensing and UAV operations. Interestingly, the UAV knowledge transfer was highly successful and the focal point for a large portion of the discussion. The RRSHMA hosted Technology Workshop was formatted such to provide all present with a thorough introduction to the project, the consortium and their respective specialisms and potential contributions to the Mine Action Sector. Following this introduction, a workshop style session was designed to split the room into manageable groups for more detailed conversations on the topics of Robotics, Automation & Sensing and UAV operations, with the audience groups rotating "stations" manned by the present representatives of the consortium. The afternoon session was intended as an opportunity for the operators (whom do not regularly interact or share processes in such a public manner) to share technological developments which they have been pursuing internally which proved effective in sparking discussion not only with the consortium, but facilitated inter-organisational discussion in a very collaborative fashion The Workshop culminated in a productive and frank round-table technical discussion which proved fruitful for both the consortium, the operators and regulators. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners identified were fundamental in ensuring a successful in-country visit for the RRSHMA consortium. CMAC, HALO Trust and MAG hosted the RRSHMA consortium for field site visits which greatly deepened the researchers understanding of the key operating environments (a primary objective of the pilot study). MAG hosted the RRSHMA consortium for field visits around the Ratanakiri province in Cambodia on July 2nd. Visiting a Battle Area Clearance (BAC) site, the RRSHMA consortium were provided meaningful insight by MAG into the processes, procedures and operational considerations operating in cluster munition sites. Further, MAG engaged throughout the day in discussions and interactions with respect to the application of robotics and remote sensing within the mine action sector, all of which invaluable to the consortium in their efforts to gather situational and operational understanding in mine action in Cambodia, and SE Asia in general. The HALO Trust hosted the RRSHMA consortium for field visits along the K5 mine belt (along the Eastern Thai border) on July 6th, where different and equally relevant terrains were observed. Visiting sparse and densely populated sites in both agricultural and mountainous lands added depth to understanding differing terrains which would be required to be overcome. HALO further hosted the RRSHMA consortium on July 7th at their base in Siem Reap where both parties discussed potential technological overlaps and methods of collaborating in the future. Finally, CMAC hosted the RRSHMA consortium for a field visit around Siem Reap province on July 5th. Visiting sparsely populated Anti-Personnel landmine sites, the consortium were able to gather more information regarding the variation of terrains and environments present in Cambodian mine action. Following these visits, CMAC took the consortium to their testing facilities in the locale of Siem Reap which were found to be very suitable for a variety of Rover, Sensor and Autonomy trials, which was very beneficial in understanding the scope of future testing capabilities and testing collaborations. Lastly, a guided visit to the CMAC Mine Action Peace Museum provided historical and contextual information. Contribution provided by the CMAA was focused primarily around their endorsement of support for the Consortium, both through the Secretary General granting blessing on behalf of the CMAA for the consortium to host the workshop and to engage with Cambodian mine action operators, but also through the Secretary General delivering the opening address at the workshop, providing important and much needed legitimacy to the consortium within the sector. The CMAA subsequently provided a Letter of Support to the consortium, which shall form a deliverable of the Pilot Project. |
| Impact | CMAA Letter of Support User & System Requirements Document (TN2) - multi-disciplinary covering Robotics, Remote Sensing, Autonomy and UAV topics, with consideration of Socio-economics also. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | RRSHMA Technical Workshop & Field Site Visits |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The RRSHMA hosted Technology Workshop was formatted such to provide all present with a thorough introduction to the project, the consortium and their respective specialisms and potential contributions to the mine action sector. Following this introduction, a workshop style session was designed to split the room into manageable groups for more detailed conversations on the topics of Robotics, Automation & Sensing and UAV operations, with the groups rotating "stations", manned by the present representatives of the consortium. The afternoon session was initiated as an opportunity for the operators (whom do not regularly interact or share processes in such a public manner) to share technological developments which they have been pursuing internally which proved effective in sparking discussion not only with the consortium, but facilitated inter-organisational discussion in a very collaborative fashion The Workshop culminated in a productive round-table frank technical discussion which proved fruitful for both the consortium, the operators and regulators. CMAC, HALO Trust and MAG hosted the RRSHMA consortium for field site visits which greatly deepened the researchers understanding of the key operating environments (another primary objective of the pilot study). MAG hosted the RRSHMA consortium for field visits around the Ratanakiri province in Cambodia on July 2nd. Visiting a Battle Area Clearance (BAC) site, the RRSHMA consortium were provided meaningful insight by MAG into the processes, procedures and operational considerations operating in cluster munition sites. Further, MAG engaged throughout the day in discussions and interactions with respect to the application of Robotics and Remote Sensing within the mine action sector, all of which invaluable to the consortium in their efforts to gather situational and operational understanding in Mine Action in Cambodia, and SE Asia in general. The HALO Trust hosted the RRSHMA consortium for field visits along the K5 Mine belt (along the Eastern Thai border) on July 6th, where different and equally relevant terrain was observed. Visiting both sparse and densely populated sites in both agricultural and mountainous lands added depth to understanding differing terrains which would be required to overcome. HALO further hosted the RRSHMA consortium on July 7th at their base in Siem Reap where both parties discussed potential technological overlaps and methods of collaborating in the future. Finally, CMAC hosted the RRSHMA consortium for a field visit around Siem Reap province on July 5th. Visiting Sparsely populated Anti-Personnel Landmine sites, the consortium were able to gather more information regarding the variation of terrains and environments present in Cambodian Mine Action. Following these visits, CMAC took the consortium to their testing facilities in the locale of Siem Reap, which are suitable for a variety of Rover, Sensor and Autonomy trials, which was very beneficial in understanding the scope of future testing capabilities and testing collaborations, lastly a guided visit to the CMAC Mine Action Peace Museum provided historical and contextual information. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |