Rugged robotic mules could make dangerous supply missions safer for US soldiers, but there are some things still to work out
The US Army is testing the NOMAD uncrewed ground vehicle to assist with logistics and supply missions in rugged environments like the Mojave Desert. While soldiers find the robots useful for reducing personnel risk, the technology still faces challenges regarding terrain navigation and extreme weather.
Why it matters
The integration of autonomous ground vehicles into military logistics represents a significant shift in how armies manage supply chains in combat zones.
Like Ukraine, the US Army is looking at UGVs as a way to keep soldiers out of dangerous logistics runs. US Army photo by Pfc. Craig Kong US Army soldiers are experimenting with ground robots for logistics and supply runs. These drones take personnel out of immediate danger and are extremely useful, troops said. But they're also limited by weather and terrain. Out in the rocky ridges of the Mojave Desert, US soldiers recently let a ground robot take a run at logistics missions traditionally done by humans. The uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) used is called NOMAD and is manufactured by Hendrick Technical Solutions. Soldiers told Business Insider that robots like this help keep troops out of harm's way, but such systems are not without their limitations.
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