Field Trials of Autonomous Military Robots Are Being Conducted in Estonia

The Estonian Military Academy has recently concluded an extensive autonomy trial of Uncrewed Ground Vehicles (UGV) involving 11 developers from nine countries. This trial is considered a pioneering and comprehensive demonstration of autonomous military technology, providing a glimpse into the potential future of warfare.

The multitude of evident uses for military robots has sparked considerable global interest in their advancement. This is particularly notable as robots transition from being merely remotely operated platforms to genuinely autonomous machines capable of independently assessing situations and generating solutions.

These advanced robots would surpass the typical depiction of small tanks equipped with guns and rocket launchers. They have the potential to be deployed in hazardous environments, eliminating the risk to human lives.

Additionally, they can bridge the challenging gap between supply lines and frontline soldiers, replacing the arduous manual transportation of food, ammunition, and equipment across rugged terrain. Moreover, they have the capability to liberate numerous personnel from mundane responsibilities, such as driving trucks, enabling them to focus on more crucial assignments.

However, the development of such robots is a gradual and meticulous process, as they need to acquire the ability to handle the intricate complexities and uncertainties of the real world.

Recognizing this, the Estonian Military Academy, under the guidance of defense and autonomy experts from Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the UK, recently conducted a series of trials spanning two days.

During the trials, the participants subjected their machines to increasingly challenging tests, including operating on various terrains such as roads, off-road areas, and dense forests.

Autonomous Navigation and Collaboration Capabilities of the Robots

The robots were required to autonomously navigate, plan routes, execute point-to-point maneuvers, and avoid obstacles. Furthermore, they had to showcase their ability to collaborate effectively with human team members.

Markus Decision, the project coordinator, highlighted that the participating platforms were not ranked. Instead, an international team of specialists prepared reports after the event, offering comprehensive feedback and insights on the latest advancements in unmanned ground systems.

The Defense Academy led the organization of the event, which took place over the past year with the support of partners from Germany, the United Kingdom, Finland, Sweden, Norway, and the Netherlands. The event attracted major players in the European unmanned ground systems field, including companies unveiling their platforms to the public for the first time.

The following video showcases several robots in operation.

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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