TECHNOLOGY SURVEY. Considering that the market for humanitarian demining equipment is very limited and after identifying a lack of interest from large companies in making the considerable investments for developing and productionising the results of R&D, an action is required for identifying transferable technologies from other application domains towards humanitarian demining. Analysis of the various ongoing initiatives aiming at increasing the overall efficiency of humanitarian demining, reveals that none of them include a co- ordinated and continuous effort to address this issue. The variety of tasks required in Mine Clearance Operations, and the structuring of their goals as expressed in the UN international Standards for Humanitarian Mine Clearance Operations (Level 1 Surveys, Level 2 Surveys including area reduction, mine clearance, Level 3 surveys including quality control) opens perspectives for brand new technology approaches. The existence of this potential has been widely acknowledged by the R&D community on humanitarian demining. Workshops are being organised to bring actors of diverse domains together, but their results stay superficial due to lack of continued effort and co-ordination. Rarely the identified technologies, are analysed in sufficient depth, up to a point where a realistic project plan can be made for the transfer of know how and for the study of the adaptations needed to meet the requirements of humanitarian demining. No analysis is made on the actual amount of effort required, no solid work plans are prepared, no physical feasibility tests are organised, no systematic analysis of the possible operational procedures is made, etc. Current practises, such as the use of dogs, mechanical demining have never been researched thoroughly. To our knowledge some interesting initiatives have been undertaken by e.g. the German Federal Foreign Office, Handicap International and the Geneva Centre for producing reports on demining tool boxes, demining material and its usage. A more in depth study in close collaboration with the above mentioned organisations will be a task for the EUDEM2-team. The technology survey activity will be carried out worldwide, through literature analysis, direct contacts and participation to international conferences. WP400 Technology Survey should help bridging the gap between identified potential and feasibility tests as well as RTD projects.
TECHNOLOGY SURVEY. The technology survey consists in three main tasks: D Literature–based analysis of limitations of technologies under research for HD (current RTD projects) D Spin-off’s for the technologies under research for HD (current RTD projects) D Identification of new technologies not directly related to HD We describe the typical Technology Survey "Life Cycle", applicable to groups of technologies in addition to individual ones:
1) Identification of technologies of interest and possible priority ranking (from literature analysis).
2) Initial contacts with experts in the selected domain, complemented by existing literature. This leads to a first, coarse description of the technology ("higher level view", understandable for non-specialists) and of its strengths and weaknesses.
3) Visits of companies and institutions dealing with the technology. Emphasis should also be placed on understanding how the technology is tested (testing methodology, success criteria) and on checking possible developments already carried out in the defence sector (documented but not available to the large public). During this phase direct contacts, coupled to an active search for information, are a major priority.
4) In depth analysis of the technology ("lower level") and of recent technological progress. For the in depth analysis we will seek advice from experts in the relevant domains. Technology assessment via a "maturity table", containing information on: technology maturity, equipment performances (especially detection rate), existing and/or projected cost, weight, size, response time, etc.
5) Assessment of compatibility to demining needs and circumstances. Evaluation of cost and feasibility of adapting the equipment to the deminer's needs and to the peculiarities of humanitarian demining applications (environmental conditions, single sided sensor deployment, ergonomics, sensitivity...), and of the real "potential" of the technology for humanitarian demining applications. Again the advice from relevant demining experts will be seeked.
6) Document the final findings and allow for feedback, especially by other experts (see above); seek the deminers' advice wherever appropriate.
7) Information dissemination via appropriate channels. Organise workshops or business partnership fora, if a promising approach has been analysed.
