Israeli companies Elbit Systems and Roboteam have unveiled their first collaboration – a networked autonomous combat system designed to extend the mission capabilities of infantry units.
The “Torch-Powered Probot” unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), which was exclusively unveiled to Janes on 19 May, merges Roboteam’s expertise in ground mobility and Elbit Systems’ autonomy, command and control (C2), and machine learning technology into a single UGV.
The development of the UGV follows Elbit’s acquisition of a 15% stake in Roboteam 12 months before.
The IDF exercises with a Torch-Powered Probot to identify concepts of operation, tactics, techniques, and procedures associated with unmanned ground vehicle operations.
The UK Ministry of Defence has already elected to acquire four Torch-Powered Probot UGVs from Elbit Systems in support of the Remote Patrol Vehicle (RPV) Experimentation Programme.
Elbit’s vice president for C4ISR, Gil Maoz and Roboteam’s CEO Elad Levy told Janes that the joint effort centres on the baseline Roboteam Probot UGV and Elbit’s Torch-X C2 technology.
The Torch-X payload, which measures less than 70 kg in all-up weight, is comprised of an electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) camera system, GPS, and software package. This includes sensor agnostic terrain classification software to enable off-line processing of imagery intelligence and real-time physical motion simulation of the UGV’s power train, steering and suspension systems to generate a “traversability map” that aids the UGV in selecting an optimal route across an area of operation.
Torch-X software also provides the UGV with the ability to conduct on-the-move data collection from onboard sensors, which help to create a more accurate terrain of the “near” environment, including dynamic objects such as people, animals, and other military/non-military platforms, enabling the UGV to correct its route if necessary.
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