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Robotic deminers put to the test

[Iran] Robot demining competition opens. Robots offer effective demining method. Amirkabir University
One of the robotic deminers the competition will test
The first international mine detector robots competition opened in the Iranian capital, Tehran, on Monday. "Our country has a significant mine problem and this contest is a chance to meet the challenge head on," student chairman of the competition, Mahmoud Ferdosizadeh Naeini, told IRIN. "Many of the mines are in rural and agricultural areas of the country and continue to impact the lives of thousands of people." According to the 22-year-old, there had been numerous robotic competitions in the past in Iran, but this was an opportunity to put the active interest and experience to greater use. "Demining isn’t just a problem for Iran. This is a global problem," he explained. Sponsored by Amirkabir University, the UN country team, and the Iranian government, the three-day event focuses on the detection and clearance of landmines using robots. According to the United Nations, 24,000 people are killed globally each year by landmines, with hundreds of thousands more seriously injured or maimed for life. There are an estimated 120,000 anti-personnel mines in the world today, injuring 70 people each day and killing one every 15 minutes. Approximately 30 to 40 percent of landmine victims are under the age of 15. Iran in particular suffers from the scourge and is reportedly the third most heavily mined country in the world. It is claimed that some 16 million mines were laid during the eight-year war with Iraq. "It’s so hazardous. Many are in agricultural areas and around oil fields," Naeini said. He estimated that it cost between US $3 and US $10 to demine one square metre of land. Echoing his concern, acting UN resident coordinator in Tehran, Mohammed Mosleh-Uddin, noted in his opening speech on Sunday that despite strong governmental efforts to deal with the problem, thousands of landmines and unexploded ordinance continued to litter the country, primarily in Khuzestan, Ilam, Kermanshah, Kurdistan and West Azerbaijan provinces. Some 42,000 square km of land were affected, he said. Vast areas of land in western Iran are said to be inaccessible and each month dozens of civilians are killed, injured or disabled due to mine-related accidents. The mines near populated areas have had devastating effects. They affect agriculture and water resources because people cannot access water, arable lands and grazing areas near suspected mines or UXO. Commenting on the growing importance of robots for demining purposes, student referee Hormoz Kaykhanzadeh told IRIN that safety, speed, accuracy and cost were all factors to be considered. "Robotic demining is becoming a more viable option throughout the world," he claimed. During the three-day competition, 122 international and local teams, comprising of 600 people are expected to participate. Working on 10 pitches of varying terrain in simulated exercises, teams will be judged on their speed and accuracy. The competition is expected to attract about 400 spectators.

This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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