Design, integration and field characterisation of a low-cost teleoperated ground vehicle prototype for remote inspection support in post-conflict mine action: a Libyan case study

Abstract

Landmine and unexploded ordnance contamination in post-conflict Libya continues to endanger lives and restrict land access, yet robotic platforms capable of reducing operator exposure remain beyond the procurement reach of most affected institutions. This paper addresses a systems question rather than an algorithmic one: what constrains the integration of a functionally broad inspection-support vehicle assembled entirely from commodity components by a small university team? We report the design, integration and field characterisation of a low-cost teleoperated unmanned ground vehicle combining dual-channel radio and Bluetooth teleoperation, supervised GPS waypoint following, close-range metallic-object indication, a five-degree-of-freedom manipulator, first-person-view video and an auxiliary suppression capability, with each component selection derived explicitly from procurement, maintainability and standoff constraints. Field trials in Zawiya City established reliable line-of-sight teleoperation of 600 m, waypoint arrival within the specified acceptance radius, and repeatable light manipulation under video guidance, at a total materials cost below USD1000. Operational reliability was found to be governed by power-rail topology and physical sensor placement rather than by control-algorithm refinement. Testing was confined to level terrain at a single site, so the results establish prototype feasibility rather than operational readiness. Within those bounds, the work contributes a cost-capability data point and transferable integration lessons for field robotics under severe resource constraints.