Humanitarian Demining: Comparing Diurnal Landmine Thermal Detection Simulations with Real Field Tests

Alberto Martinetti; Ben Oregan; Amir  Shah; Reinis  Jaunarajs; Sven  Askes; F.C. Nex

doi:10.1109/GHTC66843.2025.11266192

Humanitarian Demining: Comparing Diurnal Landmine Thermal Detection Simulations with Real Field Tests

Alberto Martinetti
, Ben Oregan
, Amir Shah
, Reinis Jaunarajs
, Sven Askes
, F.C. Nex

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

Landmines pose a significant problem worldwide, claiming lives and causing injuries long after conflicts have ended. Traditionally, landmine detection has depended on methods like metal detectors, manual probes, and trained dogs. These techniques are effective but can be dangerous and slow, often proving costly and time-consuming. A combination of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and thermal imaging offers a safer way to scan suspected areas. The paper tries to simulate the thermal behaviour of (semi) buried landmines and compares it with real tests performed by a UAV equipped with a thermal camera. The goal is to identify the best moment for diurnal detection to maximise time and resources for landmine detection.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	2025 IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC)
Place of Publication	Golden, CO, USA
Publisher	IEEE
Number of pages	7
ISBN (Electronic)	979-8-3315-9502-9
ISBN (Print)	979-8-3315-9503-6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/GHTC66843.2025.11266192
Publication status	Published - 4 Dec 2025
Event	15th Annual IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference, GHTC 2025: Technologies in context - Golden, United States Duration: 22 Oct 2025 → 25 Oct 2025 Conference number: 15

Conference

Conference	15th Annual IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference, GHTC 2025
Abbreviated title	GHTC 2025
Country/Territory	United States
City	Golden
Period	22/10/25 → 25/10/25

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Keywords

2026 OA procedure
landmines
UAV
simulation
diurnal detection
thermal imaging

Access to Document

10.1109/GHTC66843.2025.11266192

Cite this

@inproceedings{d2c345346aee4913b09787665ee382e6,

title = "Humanitarian Demining: Comparing Diurnal Landmine Thermal Detection Simulations with Real Field Tests",

abstract = "Landmines pose a significant problem worldwide, claiming lives and causing injuries long after conflicts have ended. Traditionally, landmine detection has depended on methods like metal detectors, manual probes, and trained dogs. These techniques are effective but can be dangerous and slow, often proving costly and time-consuming. A combination of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and thermal imaging offers a safer way to scan suspected areas. The paper tries to simulate the thermal behaviour of (semi) buried landmines and compares it with real tests performed by a UAV equipped with a thermal camera. The goal is to identify the best moment for diurnal detection to maximise time and resources for landmine detection.",

keywords = "2026 OA procedure, landmines, UAV, simulation, diurnal detection, thermal imaging",

author = "Alberto Martinetti and Ben Oregan and Amir Shah and Reinis Jaunarajs and Sven Askes and F.C. Nex",

year = "2025",

month = dec,

day = "4",

doi = "10.1109/GHTC66843.2025.11266192",

language = "English",

isbn = "979-8-3315-9503-6",

booktitle = "2025 IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC)",

publisher = "IEEE",

address = "United States",

note = "15th Annual IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference, GHTC 2025 : Technologies in context, GHTC 2025 ; Conference date: 22-10-2025 Through 25-10-2025",

}

Martinetti, A, Oregan, B, Shah, A, Jaunarajs, R, Askes, S & Nex, FC 2025, Humanitarian Demining: Comparing Diurnal Landmine Thermal Detection Simulations with Real Field Tests. in 2025 IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC). IEEE, Golden, CO, USA, 15th Annual IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference, GHTC 2025, Golden, Colorado, United States, 22/10/25. https://doi.org/10.1109/GHTC66843.2025.11266192

TY - GEN

T1 - Humanitarian Demining: Comparing Diurnal Landmine Thermal Detection Simulations with Real Field Tests

AU - Martinetti, Alberto

AU - Oregan, Ben

AU - Shah, Amir

AU - Jaunarajs, Reinis

AU - Askes, Sven

AU - Nex, F.C.

N1 - Conference code: 15

PY - 2025/12/4

Y1 - 2025/12/4

N2 - Landmines pose a significant problem worldwide, claiming lives and causing injuries long after conflicts have ended. Traditionally, landmine detection has depended on methods like metal detectors, manual probes, and trained dogs. These techniques are effective but can be dangerous and slow, often proving costly and time-consuming. A combination of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and thermal imaging offers a safer way to scan suspected areas. The paper tries to simulate the thermal behaviour of (semi) buried landmines and compares it with real tests performed by a UAV equipped with a thermal camera. The goal is to identify the best moment for diurnal detection to maximise time and resources for landmine detection.

AB - Landmines pose a significant problem worldwide, claiming lives and causing injuries long after conflicts have ended. Traditionally, landmine detection has depended on methods like metal detectors, manual probes, and trained dogs. These techniques are effective but can be dangerous and slow, often proving costly and time-consuming. A combination of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and thermal imaging offers a safer way to scan suspected areas. The paper tries to simulate the thermal behaviour of (semi) buried landmines and compares it with real tests performed by a UAV equipped with a thermal camera. The goal is to identify the best moment for diurnal detection to maximise time and resources for landmine detection.

KW - 2026 OA procedure

KW - landmines

KW - UAV

KW - simulation

KW - diurnal detection

KW - thermal imaging

U2 - 10.1109/GHTC66843.2025.11266192

DO - 10.1109/GHTC66843.2025.11266192

M3 - Conference contribution

SN - 979-8-3315-9503-6

BT - 2025 IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC)

PB - IEEE

CY - Golden, CO, USA

T2 - 15th Annual IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference, GHTC 2025

Y2 - 22 October 2025 through 25 October 2025

ER -

Humanitarian Demining: Comparing Diurnal Landmine Thermal Detection Simulations with Real Field Tests

Abstract

Conference

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

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