A Robot Solution to Safely Finding and Destroying Land Mines

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Every year, thousands of people are killed or maimed because of land mines. Countless acres of land can’t be used to grow food because they are littered with these deadly mines. Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) are working on a robotic solution that would be inexpensive enough for small towns and organizations to use. The project uses an autonomous robotic team – a rover that uses a metal detection system to detect the mine and a drone that will drop a payload on the mine to detonate it.


Craig Putnam, Senior Instructor

After many years in industry, it’s time for me to give back. One way I have done that is through my involvement with FIRST Robotics. Over the past 15+ years I have been a FIRST parent, mentor, and team leader. More recently I have been judging in FLL and FRC tournaments at the regional, state, and national level. The other way I give back is through teaching. I take a great deal of pride and pleasure in helping students get off to a good start in their engineering careers. And there is nothing more rewarding than a former student stopping by several years later to say ‘Thanks’.  Learn more.