Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40573485›Full record

ReviewSensors (Basel, Switzerland)2025

Autonomous Mobile Inspection Robots in Deep Underground Mining-The Current State of the Art and Future Perspectives.

Martyna Konieczna-Fuławka, Anton Koval, George Nikolakopoulos, Matteo Fumagalli, Laura Santas Moreu, Victor Vigara-Puche, Jakob Müller, Michael Prenner

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Sensors (Basel, Switzerland), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Review
  4. Review
  5. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Martyna Konieczna-FuławkaFaculty of Geoengineering, Mining and Geology, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, 15 Na Grobli Street, 50-421 Wrocław, Poland.ORCID 0000-0003-4182-8245
Anton KovalDepartment of Computer Science, Electrical and Space Engineering, Signals and Systems, Luleå University of Technology, 971 87 Luleå, Sweden.
George NikolakopoulosDepartment of Computer Science, Electrical and Space Engineering, Signals and Systems, Luleå University of Technology, 971 87 Luleå, Sweden.
Matteo FumagalliDepartment of Computer Science, Electrical and Space Engineering, Signals and Systems, Luleå University of Technology, 971 87 Luleå, Sweden.ORCID 0000-0003-1485-4616
Laura Santas MoreuDepartment of Electrical and Photonics Engineering Automation and Control, Technical University of Denmark, Elektrovej, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
Victor Vigara-PucheDepartment of Electrical and Photonics Engineering Automation and Control, Technical University of Denmark, Elektrovej, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.ORCID 0009-0006-2967-1256
Jakob MüllerChair of Mining Engineering and Mineral Economics-Conveying Technologies, Montanuniversität Leoben, Franz-Josef-Straße 18, 8700 Leoben, Austria.
Michael PrennerChair of Mining Engineering and Mineral Economics-Conveying Technologies, Montanuniversität Leoben, Franz-Josef-Straße 18, 8700 Leoben, Austria.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

In this article, the current state of the art in the area of autonomously working and mobile robots used for inspections in deep underground mining and exploration is described, and directions for future development are highlighted. The increasing demand for CRMs (critical raw materials) and deeper excavations pose a higher risk for people and require new solutions in the maintenance and inspection of both underground machines and excavations. Mitigation of risks and a reduction in accidents (fatal, serious and light) may be achieved by the implementation of mobile or partly autonomous solutions such as drones for exploration, robots for exploration or initial excavation, etc. This study examines various types of mobile unmanned robots such as ANYmal on legs, robots on a tracked chassis, or flying drones. The main scope of this review is the evaluation of the effectiveness and technological advancement in the aspect of improving safety and efficiency in deep underground and abandoned mines. Notable possibilities are multi-sensor systems or cooperative behaviors in systems which involve many robots. This study also highlights the challenges and difficulties of working and navigating (in an environment where we cannot use GNSS or GPS systems) in deep underground mines. Mobile inspection robots have a major role in transforming underground operations; nevertheless, there are still aspects that need to be developed. Further improvement might focus on increasing autonomy, improving sensor technology, and the integration of robots with existing mining infrastructure. This might lead to safer and more efficient extraction and the SmartMine of the future.

Indexed as

autonomous roboticsautonomy in underground miningcondition monitoringmobile inspection robots

Identifiers

PMID40573485
PMCPMC12196989

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.