Humanitarian demining: How can UAVs and Internet of Things help?

Abstract

The history of active mine use spans nearly two centuries. In this relatively short historical period, mines have become a global problem. Explosive objects and mines, remnants of wars and military conflicts, continue to pose a threat to people residing in these areas for a long time. As of the beginning of 2023, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported that approximately 40% of the territory (over 250,000 km2) had been mined. In terms of the extent of mined land, the United Nations classifies Ukraine among the most heavily mined countries. The scale of mine contamination surpasses countries where military conflicts have lasted for decades. The invention and improvement of mines have contributed to the development of methods to counter them. Today, more than fifty different methods and their modifications are known, but none guarantee a 100% success rate, underscoring the relevance of further scientific research. The creation and use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been a significant breakthrough in the field of intellectual achievements. Innovations manifest in all aspects, from modern composite materials to state-of-the-art navigation equipment and software. UAVs are actively deployed in various areas of human activity, demonstrating excellent results. The primary advantage of UAVs in humanitarian demining is the safety they provide, allowing individuals to operate in hazardous conditions beyond physiological and psychophysiological capabilities. The Internet of Things (IoT) is a relatively new combination of information and telecommunications technologies whose popularity is rapidly growing, opening up previously unexplored possibilities for practical applications. UAV and IoT technologies do not fall into the traditional classification of humanitarian demining methods. However, they serve as a connecting link for implementing, based on them or with their direct participation, other technological solutions (including geoinformation system (GIS), neural networks, artificial intelligence, Big Data, etc.). The prospects of implementing 5G communication networks in Ukraine will enhance spatial accuracy when combining both technologies, which is especially crucial for humanitarian demining. The recent advancements in communication technologies, such as 5G, and programs like the IoT, play a crucial role in aerial communication using UAVs. Depending on the application and operational region, UAVs have also been utilized to enhance coverage and throughput in 5G wireless communication. In such cases, UAVs act as intermediate nodes or flying base stations. This helps conduct operations in remote and challenging-to-reach locations. The idea of integrating cloud computing with UAVs enhances their role by providing additional computational capabilities.