India unveils first multipurpose wheeled UGV

Dmitry Fediushko

The Defence Research and Development Organisation of the Indian Ministry of Defence has unveiled its first multipurpose unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) intended for armed forces and security services.

The ground robot, simply designated UGV, is based on the chassis of a Honda CRV-family 4×4 sport utility vehicle (SUV). It functions in both tele-operation and autonomous navigation (with the use of GPS waypoints) modes. The UGV can be remotely controlled at a distance of up to 1 km, which, actually, is in the line of sight. The robot’s top speed in the above-mentioned functioning modes reaches 25 km/h and 40 km/h, respectively. The UGV has an endurance of two hours. 

A representative of the DRDO said the new robot can be used by both military and civil operators. “When it comes to military roles, the unmanned SUV can be used as an observation post, a reconnaissance vehicle, or an autonomous patrol vehicle. A civil operator may find it [the UGV] useful, when deactivating hazardous objects,” he noted.  

The unmanned SUV has a payload capacity of some 450 kg; however, it can be increased, if the remote control subsystems are mounted onto another carrier.

At Defexpo 2020, the DRDO showcases a non-armed variant of the UGV; however, a station with armament or less lethal subsystems can be mounted on its roof.

The UGV is controlled via a relatively huge ground control station, which comprises a terminal and a workseat.

Photo by Dmitry Fediushko

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