Israeli defense firms Elbit Systems and Roboteam have introduced a new multi-payload military 6×6 unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) dubbed the ROOK, which features a unique design and built-in autonomy suite.
Developed based on the operational experience of its predecessor 4×4 Probot UGV system, ROOK offers improved maneuverability and agility for more effective military missions across various terrains.
The vehicle also features a TORCH-X Robotic application, allowing the UGV to autonomously perform intelligence gathering missions, deliver military supplies, or evacuate casualties day and night.
ROOK can travel at a maximum speed of 30 kilometers (18 miles) per hour and can provide operational endurance of up to eight straight hours. It is also capable of carrying up to 1,200 kilograms (2,645 pounds) of payloads.
According to the company, operators of the multi-payload UGV can make replacements and modifications to the vehicle without the need for a qualified technician.
ROOK Development
In 2019, Elbit Systems and Roboteam signed a commercial agreement to develop and manufacture uncrewed vehicles, such as the Probot UGV and the ROOK UGV.
ROOK is fitted with sophisticated sensors that can recognize friendly soldiers and follow them in the field, allow them to drive off-road without toppling, and tell the difference between grass, stone, and other pathways to avoid accidents.
Costing between $150,000 and $300,000, ROOK has full compliance with military standards for UGVs, making it ready to be evaluated and deployed by armed forces of various countries.
“Because we built it from the first screw, we know how the robot works with the software,” Roboteam CEO and founder Elad Levy told The Jerusalem Post. “It has built-in autonomy and built-in artificial intelligence that provides a full solution. Without that level of sophistication, you would not want to rely on it in the field.”