Spain's EM&E Group delivers UGVs to Singapore Armed Forces

EM&E Group has supplied an undisclosed number of its aunav.NEO HD robots (pictured) to the Singapore Armed Forces in partnership with Singapore's Defence Science and Technology Agency. (EM&E Group)

Spanish defence company EM&E Group has delivered its unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) in partnership with Singapore's Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) to the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

EM&E Group collaborated with the DSTA to enhance its aunav.NEO HD robots under an agreement signed at the Singapore Airshow in February 2024, and supplied an undisclosed number of the UGVs to the SAF, the company announced on 11 June.

The collaboration with the DSTA has supported the advancement of multimission capabilities of aunav.NEO HD, including improving its ability to transport heavy loads while navigating challenging obstacles such as stairs and debris, EM&E Group said.

“EM&E Group developed the UGV concept in casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) and logistics basket configurations, while [the] DSTA integrated the systems with the Robotics-enabled Command, Control, and Communications (ReC3) System, allowing a single user to control multiple robots seamlessly during live trials,” the company added.

According to EM&E Group, aunav.NEO HD can be used to support explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), and operations to limit and manage improvised explosive device (IED), and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats. aunav.NEO HD's “variable geometry” feature allows its width to be adjusted automatically in a matter of seconds. The UGV also incorporates a set of operator assistance features, including a “horizontal platform system and a stable centre of gravity, which guarantee automatic stabilisation of the platform in real time, without the need for manual intervention”, EM&E Group said.

According to Janes Land Warfare Platforms: Logistics, Support & Unmanned