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2024-08-07

Diehl Triumphs at European Land Robot Trial

Diehl Defence secured a resounding victory at this year’s European Land Robot Trial (ELROB), held from June 24 to 28 at the Bundeswehr Technical Center in Trier, Germany.

The gruelling competition pitted 17 international teams against each other in five demanding challenges, showcasing the cutting-edge capabilities of robotic systems on the global stage.

Diehl Defence won the first place in the “Mule” scenario with the Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) Ziesel.

In the first phase, a specific route is taught to the UGV using follow-me mode. During the second phase, the UGV must autonomously navigate the recorded route under highly complex conditions, such as environments without Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals, difficult terrain with dense vegetation, and obstructed paths.

Adaptable Terrain Master
The Ziesel is a highly versatile UGV designed for operation in challenging terrains, making it suitable for various applications such as military, research, agriculture, and emergency response.

Constructed with a sturdy frame, it excels in off-road conditions, adeptly traversing rugged landscapes such as snow, mud, and rocky surfaces. Its modular design facilitates easy customisation and integration of various payloads, catering to diverse mission needs.

The Diehl Defence UGV was convincing in the key areas of autonomy and mobility. Together with Patria from Finland, the company also took part in the convoy scenario on 6x6 and AMV 8x8. The land vehicle in the follow-me-mode operates without active sensors, such as LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and Global Positioning System (GPS), which could be easily detected or jammed by the enemy.

The UGV manoeuvres military equipment around trees, evacuates injured soldiers, and manages obstacles by either avoiding them or driving over them if possible.

Unmanned Capabilities

Its unmanned capabilities are realised by the Autonomy Kit Platon, developed by Diehl Defence. This advanced kit equips the UGV with the necessary technology to operate autonomously in complex and dynamic environments, enhancing the vehicle’s effectiveness in diverse mission scenarios.

Platon is a modular conversion kit developed by Diehl Defence, designed to enable the unmanned operation of vehicles and transport platforms both on and off-road.

The retrofittable system comprises a computer box, a sensor unit, and a communication system, allowing for seamless integration into any electronically controllable vehicle. The kit enhances the vehicle’s autonomy, enabling it to perform complex tasks such as navigation, obstacle avoidance, and remote operation.

The kit supports numerous operational modes regardless of the platform, including teleoperation, which enables remote control through onboard cameras; convoy mode, where the vehicle autonomously follows another vehicle or a person; Mule mode, which allows for automated driving along a taught route while avoiding obstacles; and waypoint navigation.

Platon prototypes have successfully undergone testing on diverse vehicles, including trucks (HX58), wheeled armoured fighting vehicles (Patria AMV), and smaller military support vehicles (Milrem THeMIS and Mattro Ziesel).

These tests were conducted in collaboration with the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw), NATO forces, and various industry partners.

Light & Mighty Support

The Diehl Defence UGV is built on the Ziesel platform developed by Mattro. Featuring compact dimensions of 148 x 123 cm (LxW), a lightweight design of just 350 kg, and a robust capacity for payloads exceeding 500 kg, the vehicle excels as an essential tool for infantry support missions.

Its capability to transport heavy equipment across challenging terrain makes it an invaluable asset for military operations requiring mobility and strength.

The vehicle can accompany soldiers through dense wooded areas without impeding them. Equipped with exchangeable 10 kWh lithium-ion batteries, the Mattro Ziesel operates exclusively on electric power, ensuring quiet operation without the noise typically associated with conventional engines.

This feature enables it to maintain a low acoustic profile, making it suitable for stealthy operations and sensitive environments.

Despite its silent operation, the Ziesel can achieve impressive speeds of up to 20 km/h, combining efficiency with agility for various tasks.

It stands out as a reliable and robust solution in the realm of UGVs, providing essential capabilities for infantry support missions.

High-ranking visitors from across the globe took part in the event. Annette Lehnigk-Emden, President of the BAAINBw, also participated in ELROB and gained first-hand insights into the current capabilities of the Diehl Defence UGV.

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