Armies just can’t be deflected from using landmines. Professional units at least keep rigorous records of where they have been laid, so that post-conflict, they can be carefully dug up.
Today’s invention attempts to support the removal of mines laid during wars, so that civilians don’t have to live in fear of going about their normal lives (and bomb disposal service personnel don’t have to risk their lives).
Mines take the form of a fat wood screw (green). A simple robot cart drives around dropping these so that they stand up with the tip just under the ground surface. A drill (purple) extends out of the mine and, when at the right depth, exudes a small balloon compressing the local soil and giving grip to the whole mechanism.
This provides an anchor for the mine to screw itself into the earth.
When it gets below the surface, the mine screws upwards and downwards a little to ensure the pressure plate is hidden.
Later when the war is over, any mines which have not been detonated, will drive themselves above the surface for collection.