A Hovercraft Prototype for Landmine Detection

Abstract

Landmines are explosive devices that can be offensively used during conflicts to destroy or damage infrastructure, and their devastation can last for decades if they were not removed from the affected areas. Generally, the first and most critical step in any landmine clearance strategy is the detection of buried mines, and the efficiency and reliability of landmine detectors depend on several factors such as safety, cost, speed, accuracy, and complexity. In this paper, we propose a remotely controlled hovercraft prototype for landmines detection. The primary objective of this proposal is to provide a safe and uncomplicated detection vehicle for deminers. The proposed vehicle is a simple machine structure, and it is safer than conventional hand-held metal detectors since it can be driven remotely. It is also designed to be a user-friendly machine that does not require any skills or special training programs as is the case for mammals and robots. Test performance was carried out, and the prototype met our design’s expectations. Its maneuver in all directions was successfully controlled remotely, and it was effectively capable to detect and send signals to the operator whenever it detects a metal beneath it.