Russia Develops Robots for Mines and Quarries

Russia has launched a large-scale initiative to create robotic mining machines capable of operating autonomously. Leading the effort is Irkutsk National Research Technical University, backed by industry partner Polymetal. Experts say the project marks a significant step for the Russian mining sector. Training engineers with skills in mechatronics and digitalization will accelerate the industry’s technological transformation and strengthen Russia’s position in the global market.

The project, titled “Robotic Mining Machines,” is aimed at preparing next-generation engineers to work with autonomous equipment. To that end, the university has established a modern laboratory equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Students are already experimenting with tracked and wheeled robotic platforms, as well as a robot dog used to practice algorithms for autonomous navigation and machine vision.

Project leader Alexey Chemezov emphasized that moving the mining industry toward autonomy requires entirely new skills. Students are not just studying theory but are also creating digital twins of production processes, testing engineering solutions in virtual environments, and learning to control complex systems using artificial intelligence.

The project’s impact extends beyond classrooms. According to department head Vitaly Khramovskikh, technologies such as computer vision and equipment monitoring, refined on these robots, could soon be deployed in real mines and quarries. This would make it possible to remotely monitor equipment and minimize risks for workers.