First UX-1 prototype assembly is on the way!

/in , /by

The assembly of the first fully-operational UX-1 prototype at INESC TECs lab

The moment for the first field trial in UNEXMIN is fast approching. In order to do the proper testing, the UNEXMIN team needs a working robot. For this reason the technical teams involved in the robot development travelled to Porto for the assembly of the mechanical parts of the first fully-operable UX-1 robot.

The UNEXMIN project’s main goal of developing an autonomous robotic system to deliver 3D mapping and exploration of European underground flooded mines is now close to a reality. Representants from TUT, INESC TEC, UPM, RCI and UNIM got together in INESC TEC’s facilities for the assembly of the first UX-1 prototype, after more than two years of hard work with a lot of development and testing to what the mechanical parts concern. Now that the assembly of the mechanical parts that constitute the robot, including all the necessary instruments for movement, control and geoscientific instruments, are produced and incorporated into the prototype, it is time to further test the robotic system.

The following step in the robot’s development will consist in testing UX-1’s software for movement and control in a relevant environment, together with the collection of geoscientific data (using water samples, imaging units, among others). For this, the technical developers of UNEXMIN will use INESC TEC’s pool, where they will replicate an environment similar to the ones of underground mines to test the robot’s capabilities before the first real field trial.

Next stop? Kaatiala mine, Finland, in June, for the first real trials in the UNEXMIN project!

First UNEXMIN consortium meeting in 2018. Bled, Slovenia

/in , , , /by

The UNEXMIN project consortium partners got together in Bled, Slovenia, during the 31st of January and 1st of February, to discuss about the many current project achievements and future prospects for the development of the autonomous UX-1 robot and its innovative technology to explore and map flooded mines.

UNEXMIN consortium partners present in Bled

The two-day event started with the always necessary welcome speech and practicalities to which followed a general introduction of the UNEXMIN project. This point was of particular importance due to the presence of new members on the audience – three new advisory board members and the EFG Linked Third Parties members. In order to keep everyone connected to the most recent developments in the UNEXMIN project, the 8 main work packages (WP) were presented. The main themes for each presentation were as follows:

  • WP1 – Robotic functions validation: advancements on the robot’s hull manufacturing and the tests on basic robotics’ functions;

  • WP2 – Scientific instrument design and adaptation: discussion and display of the sensors developed specifically to the robot, as the water sampler and sub-bottom profiler;

  • Wp3 – Autonomy for mine exploration and mapping: planning for the development of the first version of UX-1 software tools for spatial awareness and navigation;

  • WP4 – Multi-robot platform development: assembly of the robot before the first field test with UX-1 – assembly in April; trial in June;

  • WP5 – Stakeholder mobilisation: stakeholder engagement by the consortium partners and development of the European database of flooded mines;

  • WP6 – Post-processing and data analysis functions: status of the post-processing software tools and data management;

  • WP7 – Demonstration/pilots: trial in the Kaatiala mine (June) and mission planning procedures;

  • WP8 – Dissemination, technology transfer and exploitation: communication activities done by the consortium partners, plans for the future research roadmapping and technology explotation tasks.

The meeting proceeded with two important sessions: the Advisory Board and Steering Committee meetings. On the first, discussions were driven by the comments of the 6 advisory board members present – their objective is to help the project improve, making helpful suggestions from their vast expertise in the robotics and raw materials fields. The steering committee was the place where the partners could discuss important topics and take crucial decisions. At the same time as these meetings were held, there were parallel technical discussions on the development of UX-1 and the preparations for its assembly during April. A virtually reality set that created a lot of expections to a feature that is still to be developed for UNEXMIN by the project partners, together with some of the developed sensors were also shown around to participants.

The second day was reserved to technical discussions, mainly focussing on the first trial for the UX-1 robot, and the UNEXMIN technology. This first test will happen between the 11th and 25th of June in the Kaatiala pegmatite mine, Finland. It intends to give the first field results on the exploration and mapping capabilities of the robotic system. Feedback from this trial will then be used by the technology developing partners to further upgrade the robot. This process will make the robotic system ready for the second trial at the Idrija mine, in Slovenia, to happen at the beginning of September this year. Following the discussions, the consortium held an interactive debate regarding the future exploitation of the results – that will be translated into the creation of a company offering the UNEXMIN services to the market.

In the end, and after all the debates regarding the past, present and future state of the UNEXMIN project, the meeting in Bled was very rewarding!

The UNEXMIN consortium thanks the participation and good advice given by the advisory board and all other members.

Progress Workshop in Porto

/in , , , /by

From the 4th of July to the 6th of July, UNEXMIN partners got together for a three-day meeting entitled “Progress Workshop”. As the name indicates, this workshop was a way to control the work being done by every partner in each of the eight work packages, to guarantee that the project is developing in the right way. The meeting was hosted in Porto by INESC TEC at their facilities, which include a robotics development lab.

On the first day of the meeting, there was an overview of the project and a review of the work in each work package. Items included hardware and software developments, preparation for testing the robotic system and communication and dissemination activities. In a multi-disciplinary project like UNEXMIN (robotics, geology, technology development), it is crucial that the different teams share their work with the others. The Advisory Board members – experts in mining and geology – were present during the review of the project and gave their most valuable help to the project partners. Their guidance is very welcome – after all, they have the expertise.

Discussions held during the Progress Workshop

The second day was dedicated to a review meeting of the Work Packages with an evaluator of the European Commission. The evaluator considered the project as running well with everything having been done on time and with good development prospects. After the review, the partners visited INESC TEC robotics labs, where they have a local pool which is used for testing. UPM, who built a UX-1 prototype, tested the robot in the pool, as you can see in the following video.

 

On Thursday, the core discussions for the development of the multi-robotic system were held. These included discussion on Work Package 3 – Autonomy for mine exploration and mapping, Work Package 4 – Multi-robot platform development, and Work Package 6 – Post-processing and data analysis functions. These work packages started recently, so discussions on their structure and content are of high importance.

Post-processing discussion on laser scanner data

There is no time to make mistakes and the consortium is doing their best for the development of the multi-robotic system!

Technology Appraisal Workshop

/in , , /by

From the 31st of January to the 2nd of February, the UNEXMIN partners got together for an important three-day meeting entitled “Technology Appraisal Workshop”. The main objectives of this meeting were to review the work done in all areas of the project including technology developments, instrumentation, dissemination, and more, to appraise the numerous technological developments, and to conduct discussions in technical workshops and two internal meetings (Steering Committee and Advisory Board) with the goal of deciding the way forward for the coming year during which we will shortly begin the construction of the first ‘UX-1’ robotic prototype. The Advisory Board, which includes professionals from robotics and raw materials, was present and gave their valuable input and expertise to the workshop. This convention also marked an important occasion for the project for two reasons: it took place as UNEXMIN completed one full year since its formal beginning in February 2016, and also Milestone 2, ‘UX-1 technical specifications delivered’, was successfully achieved.

General discussion about the project’s three future collaborative robots

Technical discussion about the general layout and mechanical design

The first day was committed to a general revision of all the currently on-going work packages and involved all work that has been done until now. During this day, suggestions to improve the workflow arose. The consortium members could see blueprints of the mechanical-prototype (see below), the instrumentation that is going to be used, and even statistics about project material from the website and social media. The second day consisted of a major technology appraisal discussion which lead to a debate on topics relevant to the functionality of the multi-robotic system – collaboration between robots and support services -, as well as workshops on technological developments on control systems and data conversion, and communication and dissemination strategy, together with the kick-off of Work Packages 3 ‘Autonomy for mine exploration and mapping’ and Work Package 4 ‘Multi-robot platform development’ – both of which are starting very soon: these work packages will produce relevant work for the functionality of the entire robotic system. The third day was devoted to further technical discussions and decision-making on the mechanical design, sensory array and systems testing.

General design of the future UX-1 robot

UNEXMIN will now continue with the development and testing of further technical instruments – specially with scientific equipment and sensors. In the following months we expect to complete the laboratory and real environmental tests on the instrumentation units and define the robot’s software architecture and mechanics, among others. In twelve-month’s time we hope to deliver a major milestone when the first UX-1 robot prototype will be ready. The much anticipated construction phase will soon begin!

UNEXMIN comsortium members during the Technology Appraisal Workshop

Madrid follow-up Workshop II

/in , , /by

On the 25th and 26th of October, UNEXMIN partners met in Madrid at UPM’s facilities for a follow-up workshop related to developments of the UX-1 robot. Of importance to this meeting were UNIM, TUT, UPM, INESC and RCI – the partners responsible for the robot’s hardware, software and post-processing and data analysis. A constant exchange of information between these partners is vital for the project’s development. This was particularly noted after the latest crucial decision made for UX-1, the integrated pressure hull approach.

dsc_0012

Overall discussion occurring during the Madrid Follow-up Workshop

The first day of this 5th UNEXMIN meeting was dedicated to an overall review of the latest steps (including the Tampere mid-term meeting) and the status of the work packages defined in the project (especially related to the software and hardware of UX-1 and post-data processing and analysis). During the day, technical discussions were held which helped the consortium agree on details of future advancements of the multi-robotic platform.

dsc_0013

Technical discussion recurring to a board, a pen and criativity

On the second day, the group present at the meeting was divided into three main work groups – a way to facilitate and cover more discussion points and thus evolving into new ideas and consolidating current ones. The three work groups defined were the following:

  • UX-1 Mechanics
  • UX-1 Navigation Instrumentation
  • Stakeholders & related discussions

This topics covered the main points of discussion for the UX-1 most important developments at the moment.

p1000151

Discussion on the UX-1 navigation instrumentation workshop session

This follow-up workshop in Madrid allowed the UNEXMIN consortium to gain a greater perspective of what is being developed and the future steps that must be taken to ensure the best development for this unique and ambitious European project. The meeting was well organised – which always helps to create an environment conducive to the efficient exchange of ideas. Thank you to UPM (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid) for hosting this perfect meeting!

20161026_133206

UNEXMIN team present in the Madrid Workshop