Design and Application of a Multifunctional Exploration Platform for Robotic Archaeology

Robotic archaeology has attracted more and more interest from archaeologists because robots can replace humans and work in unknown and dangerous environments. This paper proposes a multifunctional exploration platform for robotic archaeology with good structural compactness, multifunctional capacity and stable control system. The platform can carry out operations in the underground tomb environment through the cave of less than 10 cm, while the worker uses a computer to conveniently manipulate on the ground for guaranteeing the personal safety. In addition, the platform integrates cameras, laser ranging and numerous sensors (including temperature, humidity, CO
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, etc.) to collect and store images / videos, spatial layout, and environmental parameters of the archaeological environment. The platform also possesses a robot release and recovery cabin, which can carry a single robot to further expand the detection distance. From the field tests of simulated tombs and real tomb, it’s proved that the platform can provide support for subsequent archaeological excavations and on-site protection of cultural relics. Our study is of great significance for promoting the application of robots in the field of archaeology.