The challenge

Unpiloted aerial vehicles (UAVs) are ideal for inspecting infrastructure such as mines. But the use of UAVs in real-world environments can cause harm to humans, damage the UAVs, and damage infrastructure. Hazards may be caused directly by the UAV if it collides with objects in the environment, or if the UAV fails to complete a mission and needs to be recovered. We need to provide assurance that their use will not cause harm.

The research

Using lab facilities in the Institute for Safe Autonomy at the University of York, the project team will perform testing and simulations of multiple UAVs performing mine inspections. Following this, the team will do real-world analyses in Boulby Mine.

The project team will develop, define, and validate safety requirements and a safe operating concept for multiple UAVs performing mine inspections. This is to ensure safe operation and guarantee early intervention where required.

The progress

Interviews with ATCOs have helped to understand their working practices. The findings have been translated into a number of user requirements that will inform the development of an interactive prototype of an automated conflict detection and resolution tool for ATC.

In the next phase of the project, this prototype will be developed and then evaluated using the Wizard of Oz technique.

Project partners

• Dr Victoria Hodge (principal investigator) University of York
• Ed Banks (principal investigator) STFC Boulby Underground Lab
• Simon Pollitt (principal investigator) ICL Boulby Mine