Military Trial Showcases Robot Dog for Bomb Disposal

A recent trial has successfully demonstrated the use of robotic canines and AI-powered drones to enhance safety, efficiency, and precision in explosive ordnance disposal. 

Ministry of Defence (MoD) scientists led a new live trial that has seen advanced robotic systems, including robot dogs, successfully detect and defuse bomb threats.

These innovations are expected to transform EOD operations by minimising human exposure to danger, improving operational efficiency and maintaining public safety.  

The trials conducted by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) took place over the span of four days and included: remote classification and identification of threats using sensors on robots, drones with AI autonomous threat and people detection, defusing of bombs from a robot dog, and robots conducting tasks such as climbing stairs and opening doors.

The UK Government’s Plan for Change is supported by the trial, which safeguards national security while rapidly advancing new technologies and promoting defence as an engine for growth.

Dstl collaborated with British and international industry, including L3Harris, Marlborough Communications Ltd, and AeroVironment (Tomahawk Robotics), on trials that demonstrated enhancements to Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) capability.

The trials showed that these advancements could reduce the need to place bomb disposal operators in danger by expanding the range of tasks that robots can perform remotely. They also improved the effectiveness of robots, easing the burden on operators and enabling delicate and precise movements to be carried out reliably. Additionally, drones equipped with AI were used to identify threats and monitor safety cordons, increasing the pace of operations and minimizing disruption to the public.

As part of the trials, the robots were tested in a series of scenarios, completing tasks such as navigating stairs, autonomously opening and closing doors, inspecting improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and firing disruptors to render them safe.

Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle, commented, “This advanced technology demonstrates our commitment to protecting the military personnel who keep our nation safe, at home and abroad.

“By working with industry and combining cutting-edge robotics with existing expertise, we’re ensuring our bomb disposal teams have the best possible tools to carry out their vital work safely and effectively. These advancements help the government deliver our Plan for Change and ensure defence is an engine for growth – protecting our national security while supporting rapidly evolving technologies.”

Chief Science and Technology Officer, Dstl, Prof Andy Bell, stated, “This is a great example of how Defence can achieve an advantage through the exploitation of technology, fusing together military and commercial systems to keep our people and country safe from deadly threats. 

“Working in partnership with industry and academia, Dstl is delivering mission success through science and technology advantage.”

Dstl will continue to develop and improve technology that provides increased security for the nation, using feedback from bomb disposal operators who commended the technology presented in the trial and offered helpful suggestions to guide the next phase of Dstl investment in robotics for the bomb disposal community.