Rheinmetall has attended the Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) Autonomy Trials in Estonia with its fully-electric Mission Master SP.
The autonomous vehicle distinguished itself for its limited driver intervention, obstacle avoidance technology, and speed and maneuverability.
The Rheinmetall Mission Master SP, which stands for “silent partner”, was chosen for the trials due to its compact profile that can navigate through tight spaces.
The vehicle is powered by the Rheinmetall PATH autonomy kit, an AI-powered navigation system. This is an agnostic suite of advanced sensors and perception algorithms, enabling the Mission Master vehicles to navigate through challenging environments, while keeping soldiers out of harm’s way.
In addition to autonomous navigation, the Mission Master can support crewed and remote teleoperation, and seamlessly transition between each mode. The vehicles can also be fitted with different modules, including logistic transport, fire support, and medical evacuation.
The UGV Autonomy Trials took place in open fields with high grass and areas of dense woodland, and the Mission Master SP’s on and off-road navigation capabilities were put to the test as it tackled rough terrains with limited visibility.
Though the trials were not designed to be competitive, Rheinmetall reports the autonomous vehicle’s limited driver intervention, obstacle avoidance technology, speed, and manoeuvrability impressed attendees.
The Estonian Military Academy and the Estonian Defence Forces organized the event, attracting a multinational audience of military and civilian experts from over 20 countries, with 11 companies taking part in the trials.
“These trials have shown just how far autonomous technology has come in recent years. We were proud to put our system to the test alongside some of the world’s most skilled developers. We are really pleased with our performance and look forward to seeing how our technology will evolve over the coming years,” said Alain Tremblay, Vice-President, Business Development, Innovation & Robotics at Rheinmetall Canada.
