What begun as a "quick look" concept for investigating the Quecreek-Saxman breach by way of borehole has become a powerful and profitable tool for mapping subterranean voids. This site details the motivation, design, construction, and deployment of a subterranean laser-scanning robot called Ferret.

Ferret has undergone two iterations of development. Ferret I was a prototype constructed in three weeks for testing the algorithms and overall design of a borehole deployable device. Upon completion and successful experimentation of the Ferret I, Ferret II was built for fieldwork using a long-range, low-reflectivity laser and augmented with additional sensing capabilities. The links below describe these devices and their impact on profiling underground cavities.