Ghost Robotics unveils new robotic arm for UGV

Ghost Robotics new robotic arm was developed with feedback from US military customers. (Ghost Robotics)

Mechanised arm accessories for the Ghost Robotics Vision 60 quadruped unmanned ground vehicle (Q-UGV) have been sold to some undisclosed customers, an executive told Janes on 10 December.

The arm was developed from feedback from military customers – including the US Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force – that an arm would improve a Q-UGV's ability to perform breaching and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) operations, Gavin Kenneally, CEO of Ghost Robotics, told Janes in an interview. There is still not a requirement for Q-UGVs in the US military, but the company is expecting new funding for a contract with the army's Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) in 2026, he said.

Army officials have said that they want robots to make first contact with an adversary in many types of combat operations. For example, through the Soldier Borne Sensor programme, the army acquired Teledyne FLIR's Black Hornet in part to have an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to clear a room before entry.

The Q-UGV can now get into a room on its own with the new arm, Kenneally said.

“The first person through the door experiences the vast majority of the casualties,” he said. “You'd love to have a robot be … first thing through the door, let the robot get shot at, and get you the situational awareness of what's going on.”

The robots also now have a higher and more flexible vantage point to see potential threats from, equipping the arm with cameras and sensors like a periscope, he said.