Fit for Purpose “Self-Aware Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)” for Remote Underground Deployment

The objective of the project was to develop a Self-Aware UAV for remote underground deployment, enabling Mines Rescue to have ability to readily deploy UAV's in an underground coal mine emergency to gather atmospheric data that would enable an emergency deployment of Mines Rescue teams. Recent mining disasters in Australia and internationally have displayed the difficulties in deploying Mines Rescue teams when there is minimal atmospheric data available to the underground atmosphere.

Although the selected UAV met the speciation requirements, it was identified that it required modification to protect it from hazards that are encountered in an underground coal mine. These hazards included collisions with rock bolts, flying through water droplets, flying through dust and dense smoke and driver interface reducing operability. The UAV was modified through installing exoskeleton around the rotors, increased lighting and improved the operating display.