A method for operating a mine-sweeping system and corresponding mine-sweeping system, wherein the mine-sweeping system includes at least one drone for detonating sea mines. The drone has at least one magnet element for magnetically detonating the sea mines. The method includes a) translationally moving the at least one drone in the water and b) carrying out a first rotational movement of the drone with respect to a first degree of rotational freedom.

A method for operating a mine-sweeping system and corresponding mine-sweeping system, wherein the mine-sweeping system includes at least one drone for detonating sea mines. The drone has at least one magnet element for magnetically detonating the sea mines. The method includes a) translationally moving the at least one drone in the water and b) carrying out a first rotational movement of the drone with respect to a first degree of rotational freedom.

A system with a spool base frame having an initiator, an interrupter, control electronics, and a proximity sensor connected thereto, wherein the spool base frame is configured to hold a shock tube spooling mechanism, the interrupter is configured to allow installation and spooling of a spool of shock tube disposed on the shock tube spooling mechanism, the interrupter is configured to cut spooled shock tube from the spool of shock tube, the control electronics are configured to send a signal directing the interrupter to cut the spooled shock tube from the spool, the interruptor is configured to physically redirect and splice the cut shock tube to a second shock tube connected to the initiator, and the interrupter is configured to discharge the cut shock tube after the shock tube is fired and spent.

A system with a spool base frame having an initiator, an interrupter, control electronics, and a proximity sensor connected thereto, wherein the spool base frame is configured to hold a shock tube spooling mechanism, the interrupter is configured to allow installation and spooling of a spool of shock tube disposed on the shock tube spooling mechanism, the interrupter is configured to cut spooled shock tube from the spool of shock tube, the control electronics are configured to send a signal directing the interrupter to cut the spooled shock tube from the spool, the interruptor is configured to physically redirect and splice the cut shock tube to a second shock tube connected to the initiator, and the interrupter is configured to discharge the cut shock tube after the shock tube is fired and spent.

The present invention relates to an inspection vehicle configured to inspect a confined space. The inspection vehicle includes an elongate rigid body including a planar upper surface and drive modules along either side of the body. Each drive module includes an endless track, an upper surface of the endless tracks is positioned below a height of the planar upper surface so that the planar upper surface engages an obstacle in preference to the endless tracks; front ones of the endless tracks project forwardly of the body so that the front endless tracks engage an obstacle in preference to the body; sensors around the inspection vehicle to sense the confined space; a communications module to provide sensor data to remote processing systems; and receive control signals; processing devices to control the drive modules to allow the inspection vehicle to traverse the confined space.

A system determines traffic information. The system contains a terminal having a position determination device for determining a position of the vehicle, a storage device for storing reference positions defined by location coordinates, and a processor which works together with the position determining device and the storage device. The processor compares a specific position of the vehicle with stored reference positions to determine whether the vehicle has passed a reference position. A reference position is defined by a safety line extending through the location coordinates thereof. The processor also determines whether the vehicle has traversed a safety line and evaluates the traversing of a determined safety line as the vehicle passes the reference position defined by the safety line. Therefore, the system can determine a position in a simple and reliable manner, including in an inner-city road network.

A landmine-neutralization system has a vehicle including a water supply tank and an electrical power supply and an electro-discharge apparatus. The electro-discharge apparatus includes one or more electro-discharge nozzles each having a discharge chamber that has an inlet for receiving water from the water supply tank and an outlet, a first electrode extending into the discharge chamber and being electrically connected to one or more high-voltage capacitors that are connected to, and chargeable by, the electrical power supply, a second electrode proximate to the first electrode to define a gap between the first and second electrodes and a switch to cause the one or more capacitors to discharge across the gap between the electrodes to create a plasma bubble which expands to form a shockwave that escapes through one or more exit orifices of the one or more nozzles ahead of the plasma bubble to thereby neutralize a landmine.

A landmine-neutralization system has a vehicle including a water supply tank and an electrical power supply and an electro-discharge apparatus. The electro-discharge apparatus includes one or more electro-discharge nozzles each having a discharge chamber that has an inlet for receiving water from the water supply tank and an outlet, a first electrode extending into the discharge chamber and being electrically connected to one or more high-voltage capacitors that are connected to, and chargeable by, the electrical power supply, a second electrode proximate to the first electrode to define a gap between the first and second electrodes and a switch to cause the one or more capacitors to discharge across the gap between the electrodes to create a plasma bubble which expands to form a shockwave that escapes through one or more exit orifices of the one or more nozzles ahead of the plasma bubble to thereby neutralize a landmine.

An open architecture control system is provided that may be used for remote and semi-autonomous operation of commercial off the shelf (COTS) and custom robotic systems, platforms, and vehicles to enable safer neutralization of explosive hazards and other services. In order to effectively deal with rapidly evolving threats and highly variable operational environments, the control system is built using an open architecture and includes a high level of interoperability. The control system interfaces with a large range of robotic systems and vehicles, autonomy software packages, perception systems, and manipulation peripherals to enable prosecution of complex missions effectively. Because the control system is open and does not constrain the end user to a single robotics system, mobile platform, or peripheral hardware and software, the control system may be used to assist with a multitude of missions beyond explosive hazard detection and clearance.

An open architecture control system is provided that may be used for remote and semi-autonomous operation of commercial off the shelf (COTS) and custom robotic systems, platforms, and vehicles to enable safer neutralization of explosive hazards and other services. In order to effectively deal with rapidly evolving threats and highly variable operational environments, the control system is built using an open architecture and includes a high level of interoperability. The control system interfaces with a large range of robotic systems and vehicles, autonomy software packages, perception systems, and manipulation peripherals to enable prosecution of complex missions effectively. Because the control system is open and does not constrain the end user to a single robotics system, mobile platform, or peripheral hardware and software, the control system may be used to assist with a multitude of missions beyond explosive hazard detection and clearance.