Merging Live Video Feeds for Remote Monitoring of a Mining Machine

This research entails using virtual reality to interpret video recordings in Unity from cameras on an unmanned machine used for mining excavations. The purpose of using a machine of this nature is to send it into hazardous mining environments rather than sending workers and having their lives jeopardized. This work is significant because it demonstrates how two separate fields, such as virtual reality and robotics, can be combined to complete useful tasks. It also illustrates how machines can be used to replace workers in hazardous conditions not only in the field of mining, but in other fields as well. The main contribution of the work presented in this paper is the creation of a panorama of live video feeds captured by several webcams, which can be seen using a VR headset. As also described in the paper the software developed for this engineering application has been created using appropriate software engineering techniques and tools. Results of merging live video feeds and testing camera placements are also presented and planned directions of future work are outlined.