World first: HI locates mines buried underground

After 18 months of testing in the Chadian desert, Humanity & Inclusion (HI) has introduced a number of innovations and revolutionised humanitarian demining.

Drones to locate mines buried underground

HI is the first in the world to be able to locate the exact position of mines buried in a real minefield using drones equipped with infrared cameras. Hundreds of mines laid decades ago, buried under the sand and invisible to the naked eye, have been found thanks to this innovative technique.

The largest map ever produced

We are also the first to conduct large-scale drone mapping of hazardous areas. In northern Chad, we have mapped an area equivalent to 50 linear kilometres. Another world first.

New operating rules

HI has designed and applied new operating rules for mine clearance experts in order to incorporate the use of drones. All mine clearance operations must follow extremely strict procedures to protect the safety of deminers. We have developed new procedures for drone operations. Another revolution in humanitarian demining

Extreme testing conditions

Together with our partner Mobility Robotics, we carried out tests using drones for mine clearance operations under extreme conditions in the middle of the Chadian desert, where temperatures sometimes exceed 50 degrees. These tests were logistically very challenging and put our teams and equipment to the test.

Accessible technology

All technologies we have developed to incorporate drones into mine clearance operations are accessible and easy to use. The equipment is commercially available and low-cost. We trained Chadian personnel, who were soon able to pilot the drones and use them in real-field conditions.