- Fact sheet
Name: ROBOMINERS – Resilient Bio-inspired Modular Robotic Miners
Program: H2020-SC5-2018-2; SC5-09-2018-2019, New solutions for the sustainable production of raw materials
Budget: EUR 7 445 900
Duration: 2019/06/01 – 2023/05/31 - About the project
ROBOMINERS will develop a bio-inspired robot-miner for small and difficult to access deposits. The aim is to create a prototype robot that is capable of mining underground, underwater or above water, and can be delivered in modules to the deposit via a large diameter borehole. Powered by a water hydraulic drivetrain and artificial muscles, the robot will have high power density and environmentally safe operation. Situational awareness and sensing will be provided by novel body sensors, including artificial whiskers that will merge data in realtime with production sensors, optimising the rate of production and selection between different production methods. ROBOMINERS will deliver proof of concept (TRL-4) of the feasibility of this technology line that can enable the EU have access to mineral raw materials from otherwise inaccessible or uneconomic domestic sources. Laboratory experiments will confirm the Miner’s key functions, such as modularity, configurability, selective mining ability and resilience under a range of operating scenarios. The Prototype Miner will then be used to study and advance future research challenges concerning scalability, swarming behavior and operation in harsh environments.
- Our role in the project
LPRC will lead WP8 – Active Roadmapping and will coordinate efforts to deliver a proper plan for the future of the Robominers technology line. LPRC will deliver tailored solutions to identify emerging innovations in raw materials technologies that are likely to produce the greatest economic and social benefits. The La Palma Research Centre will also work continuously to dissemination and communication activities and, adding to these, will also be organizing a series of workshops with relevant stakeholders.
- More information
For more information please contact Luís Lopes at luislopes_at_lapalmacentre.eu
