MRead Limited
Building new detection capabilities for humanitarian demining and other security applications
In April 2023, RFC Ambrian was delighted to announce the launch of MRead Limited, which we co-founded for the purpose of advancing commercial application of CSIRO’s Magnetic Resonance (MR) technology in the global explosives and drug detection industry. We are pleased to share a significant progress update on MRead.
Key updates:
- MRead’s Minimum Viable Product (MVP), a hand-held countermine detector, validated outside the laboratory for the first time
- The technology exceeded all expectations, operating successfully during intensive testing in five soil types
- MOU signed with defence manufacturing firm EPE to jointly explore future technology opportunities
- Upcoming field trials in Southern Angola under the supervision of The HALO Trust to test technology in real-world minefields
MRead is developing a new method of detecting landmines, utilising a sensing technology that has been commercialised in the minerals industry. In early August 2024, less than 18 months from formation, MRead successfully trialled their handheld explosives detector at EPE’s MILTECS facility in Brisbane. The trial is a significant milestone for the MRead team, CSIRO’s science team who originally developed the product, and MRead’s Australian and international partners.
EPE’s MILTECS facility in Brisbane is co-located at the CSIRO Queensland Centre of Advanced Technology (QCAT) and enables testing utilising four counter explosive hazards in dismounted lanes of various soil types and conditions. During the trials MRead’s sensor successfully operated across five different soil types at depths down to 13cm, adhering to the strict United Nations International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) and ensuring rigorous validation of the sensor’s capabilities.
The sensor’s performance not only met but exceeded expectations, proving its robustness and accuracy under intensive testing. This milestone is a testament to the hard work of our team, the innovative scientists at CSIRO who delivered the product and RFC Ambrian who have been the bedrock of our development. It’s genuinely exciting to be at the forefront of technology that can make a real difference to deminers and the shattered communities in war-torn regions.
John Shanahan, MRead’s CEO
Australian Innovation and International Collaboration
During the trials MRead showcased the sensor to partners and key stakeholders including The HALO Trust, Norwegian People’s Aid, Minelab Metal Detectors, Katapult and EPE. The input from these supporters has been invaluable in enabling MRead to drive the technology to this point in such a short timeframe, including crucial input into the engineered user experience of the product. The collaboration so far with The HALO Trust has been instrumental, providing critical insights into both technology and user operator requirements.
The sensor trials were, and will continue to be conducted at MILTECS, EPE’s Military Training, Evaluation, Certification, and Systems site in Brisbane. In June, MRead further solidified its partnership with EPE by entering into an MOU with them to collaborate on the development of integrated sensors on robotic platforms in support of humanitarian demining, border security, law enforcement, and defence.
Looking Ahead
The successful demonstration of the MVP sets the stage for MRead’s upcoming field trials in Southern Angola where the sensor will be trialled in real-world minefields under the supervision of The HALO Trust. This will allow MRead to monitor the performance of its MVP with actual landmines and assess how the humanitarian demining operators interact with the system. This will be an important step in focussing the product development during the next phase of the business. Concurrently, MRead’s science team will continue refining and developing the sensor whilst also looking to expand their capability with different form factors of the technology.
To learn more about MRead please visit their website here.
To learn more about The HALO Trust and their mission to protect lives and restore the livelihoods of those affected by conflict, please visit their website here.
Regards
RFC Ambrian Limited
