MOLE

Lead Research Organisation: University of Leeds
Department Name: Civil Engineering

Abstract

This Fellowship vision is to develop the fundamental science that will bring a step-change in the design and development of burrowing robotics that are in perfect synchrony and harmony with the surrounding ground. This will enable much more efficient burrowing robots, and will allow:
(1) improving exponentially autonomy through precision sensing of the robot-ground interaction, combined, for the first time, with modelling that provides full sensor feedback to allow for effective control and operation of the robot in response to ground conditions;
(2) quantifying the effects of robots on the ground and other structures within it to minimise disruption;
(3) develop the first autonomous robot capable of burrowing autonomously distances of tens of metres.
The potential applications are numerous and all transformational in their respective fields. Imagine applications such as sensor deployment (e.g. radiation sensors, porewater pressures), ground characterisation, space exploration, agriculture (e.g. ground conditioning and fertilisation) or mine and disaster rescue, to name but a few, and the impact automation would have.
As a demonstrator, MOLE will focus on fibre optic cable laying as it offers a step change on current capabilities with transformative impact like, minimising disruption to the public (streetworks currently cost £4.7Bn per year to the UK economy), reducing the times for installation (i.e. providing better internet access to many faster), and cost reductions (hundreds of millions potentially - BT is heavily supporting this with a strong letter of support). However, besides the focus on this application, all the fundamental work carried out in MOLE is necessary to achieve all of the above applications.

Planned Impact

MOLE has the potential to transform the telecommunications sector initially by allowing the installation of fibre-optic high-speed broadband to thousands of people at an economically viable price. It will therefore affect multiple stakeholders:

- Utility companies and, in particular, telecommunications companies, who will directly benefit from this research by reducing their costs in hundreds of millions as discussed with them.
- Robotic Engineers, who will find a new challenge area open up as a consequence of this research.
- Civil, geotechnical, and utility Engineers engaging with utility work since the improved capability and productivity the proposed robot will bring, will enable new ideas and installations that were not before possible.
- The Public, who will benefit from a higher speed fibre-optic connectivity with potentially lower costs associated to the savings this technology will bring in terms of installation.
- Schools and young people, where we aim to engage as users and inspire and attract as shapers the next generation of scientists/engineers.

Due to the amount of new applications this technology will offer (e.g. agriculture for soil fertilisation and conditioning, space exploration, underground sensor deployment such as radiation fate, or ground investigation) the impact of this research will extend beyond the Fellowship.

Publications

10 25 50
 
Description The research is investigating the development of a new burrowing robot to install fibre optic cables. We have discovered novel methods to reduce soil penetration resistance that will have applicability in many other fields.
Exploitation Route Since we are just in the first year, we are progressing with the original plan of the Fellowship. Having said that, other research is braching out from this although it has not materialised in clear outputs yet.
Sectors Construction

Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software)

Electronics

Transport

 
Description Through our main industrial collaborator, BT, we are continuing to update them on our progress. These ideas are helping BT inform their research strategy and future investments in the area.
Sector Construction,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software)
 
Description Participation in ETH Winter School 2020 
Organisation ETH Zurich
Country Switzerland 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We participated in the Winter School where I gave a Keynote lecture on the review work that we have done to date on penetration problems in soils.
Collaborator Contribution They invited me to the talk and organised the conference.
Impact Ideas were discussed with attendants. Additionally, the talk instigated the promotion of the area as a new area of research among other participants from around Europe.
Start Year 2019
 
Description Interview published in a magazine 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Article publised.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL https://www.theengineer.co.uk/burrowing-robots-leeds/