Drone Mine Detector
Investment in a Ukrainian start-up developing advanced mine detection technology
The project addresses one of Ukraine’s most urgent post-war challenges — clearing millions of mines and unexploded ordnance (UXOs) scattered across its territory. Experts estimate it could take over 100 years to fully clear Ukraine using current manual methods. Traditional sappers working without advanced tools can clear as little as 10 m² per day, making the process painfully slow and dangerous.
It works by using safe-level gamma radiation and collecting various types of response from this radiation. In simple terms, the sensor will determine the ratio of chemical elements that are present in every explosive, identifying the type of explosive material and, accordingly, the type of UXO (UneXploded Ordnance). We are creating DS together with the Department of Physics at Odessa Polytechnic, which has been working on this technology since the 2000s.
The threat includes:
● Plastic anti-vehicle mines● Plastic anti-personnel mines● PFM-1 “Lepestok” mines● UXOs in areas where a non-technical survey is not possible
The solution — an innovative drone-based mine detection system developed jointly with the Department of Physics at Odesa Polytechnic.
This integrated system combines:
● A carrier drone● Advanced software and sensors● Multi-zone metal detector● Magnetometer● Ground-penetrating radar● Multispectral camera
The “Dream Sensor” — a next-generation detector capable of identifying explosive objects up to 1,000 times faster than traditional sapper methods, scanning up to 10,000 m² per day.
Technology readiness:
● Carrier drone & software — ready for deployment● Multi-zone metal detector — TRL 7● Dream Sensor — TRL 4, validated in laboratory conditions
Development roadmap for the Dream Sensor:
● Research & development● Prototyping● Field and combat testing● Product finalization and certification● Launch of mass production (capacity: 10 units/month)
The technology developed by the start-up has additional areas of application, namely:● Search and rescue of people under rubble/snow● Chemical analysis of soil, for agriculture● Detection of ore deposits● Measurement of radiation background
Funding & progress:
$230,000 already invested$600,000 needed for the first stage of Dream Sensor R&D
The project’s mission is clear: accelerate demining operations in Ukraine, protect civilian lives, and restore safe use of land for communities and agriculture.