12 Fenix Insight and Ace High in the UK have developed an AI system for detecting land mines with a new UAV called IRIS, writes Nick Flaherty. The two companies worked together to develop the AI-assisted, real-time, visual-surveying Image Recognition Identification System. Ukraine is the most heavily mined country in the world today as a result of the war with Russia, with hundreds of thousands of mines, submunitions and other ordnance scattered across fields, roads and the devastated cities. IRIS uses machine-learning models and AI algorithms to accurately survey and record contaminated areas, where it detects, identifies and maps unexploded ordnance (UXO) threats littering the land in real time with a millisecond detection time. This comes from models that are trained specifically on the types of land mines used during the war. The system reduces the time that ordnance teams need to spend in high-risk areas, thereby minimising exposure to hazards. IRIS uses Lidar laser technology to create highly accurate, 3D topographical maps, and this is coupled with thermal imaging, metal detection and ground-penetrating radar. It provides data on the geographical coordinates, size, type and depth of detected ordnance with AI and analyses this to provide intelligence in real-time, including 3D models. In January, demonstrations in the field with the Kherson Military Authority, Ukrainian Army Engineers, DSNS (Ukrainian Ministry of Emergencies EOD teams) and the Ukrainian Police EOD Unit in Lviv took place in the Kherson region of Ukraine. Despite repeated air-raid warnings and other disruptions to be expected in an TM62 anti-tank mines in real-time, underscore its unprecedented reliability and accuracy in a live conflict zone. This marks a pivotal moment in advancing humanitarian efforts and we are honoured to be at the forefront of this transformative initiative.” Preparing for the aftermath of the war is crucial for the recovery of Ukraine and for world food supply. “It is vital that Ukraine is able to restore all arable land. One undiscovered anti-tank mine will destroy heavy farm machinery as easily as it destroys a tank. Children will not return to school or play in the streets until unexploded submunitions and mines are completely removed,” said Robin Horsfall, director of Ace High Drone Specialists. Land mine detection active conflict zone, the demonstration team deployed IRIS and detected TM62 anti-tank mines in live mined areas in real time. The developers say this has never been achieved before to this level of reliability and accuracy in a current conflict area. “IRIS marks a significant leap forward in supporting demining efforts in Ukraine – the most heavily mined country globally,” said David Hewitson, chief executive of Fenix Insight. “IRIS harnesses state-of-the-art AI algorithms and machine learning, allowing for faster, more accurate detection, identification and mapping of unexploded ordnance threats. “The successful field operations in the Kherson region, where IRIS detected xx October/November 2024 | Uncrewed Systems Technology Platform one Land mine detection in Ukraine (Image courtesy of Fenix Insight) IRIS uses AI to spot land mines
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