As rescue teams continue efforts to save people trapped inside a cave in Laos, Monash University students have unveiled a wearable navigation device designed to help prevent similar emergencies in underground environments.
The student-developed system, called ANTRUM, is a tracking and navigation device created for use in high-risk underground settings such as caves and mines, where GPS and mobile phone signals are unavailable.
The palm-sized devices are strapped to a user’s leg before entering an underground environment. Using motion sensors and radio communication, the system enables users to locate their exploration partner and navigate back towards the cave entrance from the point where route recording began.
The Monash team developed a complete working system, including the hardware, software, electronics and a 3D-printed casing. The students are now looking to create a waterproof version capable of supporting underwater cave divers.
The project was inspired by the 2018 rescue of the Thai youth soccer team trapped in the Tham Nang Non cave system in Thailand – an operation that captured worldwide attention and highlighted the dangers of underground exploration.
“We were inspired by the story of the Thai youth soccer team cave rescue and wanted to explore whether technology could help prevent people from becoming stranded in the first place,” said project team member Maria Demina, who is studying a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering.
ANTRUM also includes a companion web dashboard known as ANTRUM DASH, which records movement data during use. Once users return to the surface, the information uploads to the cloud, allowing users to review and analyse their route.
The timing of the project coincides with ongoing rescue operations in Laos, drawing renewed attention to the risks associated with caves and other underground environments. While cave exploration and mining operations often rely on specialist equipment and planning, signal loss and disorientation remain persistent hazards.
The Monash students said the device was intended to provide a practical and accessible safety solution for explorers and workers operating below ground.
The system’s ability to function independently of GPS or phone networks is central to its design, with radio communication and onboard sensors allowing navigation support in isolated areas.
The team’s development process involved integrating multiple engineering disciplines, including electronics, software development and product design, into a fully operational prototype.
The students hope future versions of the technology could expand its applications beyond caves and mines, potentially supporting emergency services and other industries operating in remote or signal-restricted environments.
