Case Study: University of Chile improves mine mapping and safety with Clearpath Robotics Husky UGV

University of Chile maps mines with Clearpath’s Husky and 3D scan data

The University of Chile faced the challenge of developing autonomous mining technology to improve safety and efficiency in Chile's dangerous open pit mines. Existing systems for 3D mapping and surface profiling were in early development and required refinement to reliably interpret noisy sensor data in harsh, dusty conditions. To advance their research, Professor Martin Adams and his team at the Advanced Mining Technology Center required a robust robotic platform and partnered with Clearpath Robotics, using the Husky UGV for the project.

Clearpath's Husky UGV provided a robust, ROS-compatible platform with the payload capacity to carry multiple sensors, including a millimeter wave radar and laser range finder, through difficult mine terrain. The solution enabled the university team to collect and fuse motion and sensor data to improve automatic feature detection and 3D mapping. As a result, a leading mining company in Chile has expressed interest in acquiring similar robotic systems, and the research data is being shared with the international robotics community. Clearpath's technology is contributing significantly to the future success and efficiency of mining operations.

University of Chile