Russia's 'Polkan' robot sniffs out explosives and takes surface samples

Researchers at the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI have built a prototype of a mobile robot named "Polkan" designed to inspect suspicious objects and detect traces of explosives. The project is led by Yulia Shaltaeva, head of a laboratory and senior lecturer at the university's Department of Micro- and Nanoelectronics, with students also contributing to the development.

Polkan is a remotely controlled robotic platform equipped with a manipulator arm and an analytical module. The operator guides the robot toward a suspicious object, after which the manipulator collects a sample from its surface. The sample is then automatically transferred to the onboard analytical module for examination.

The system is built around a device called "Segment," developed by the Yuzhpolymetal-Holding group of companies. It analyzes surface samples using ion mobility spectrometry, a technique that can detect and identify substances present in the sample.

According to Shaltaeva, the spectrometer itself can literally "sniff" the surrounding air by analyzing volatile compounds near a suspicious object. However, this method has limitations when dealing with low-volatility explosives that tend to remain on object surfaces. That is why the robot is equipped with a manipulator for remote sampling — allowing a bomb disposal expert to carry out analysis from a safe distance.

The developers emphasize that Polkan is not meant to replace a human specialist but rather to assist them, reducing risks when working with potentially dangerous objects. The prototype represents a step toward safer explosive ordnance disposal procedures, combining remote operation with chemical analysis capabilities.