July 15, 2024

Diehl Defence UGV Ziesel wins 1st place in “Mule” scenario at ELROB

Source: Diehl Defence

Diehl Defence participated with great success in this year's 'European Land Robot Trial' (ELROB), which took place from June 24 to 28 on the grounds of the Bundeswehr Technical Center for Land-Based Vehicle Systems, Engineer and General Field Equipment (WTD 41) in Trier.

17 international teams from all over the world competed against each other in five challenging disciplines in this competition of robotic systems.

Diehl Defence won the first place in the “Mule” scenario with the Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) Ziesel. For this scenario, a specific route is taught in a first phase in the follow-me-mode. In phase two, the UGV must automatically drive the recorded route. This takes place under highly complex conditions, e.g. a GNSS-denied environment, in difficult terrain with high vegetation and blocked paths. The Diehl Defence UGV was particularly convincing in the key areas of autonomy and mobility.

Together with Patria from Finland, Diehl Defence also took part in the convoy scenario on 6×6 and AMV 8×8.

The unmanned capabilities of the UGV are realized by the Autonomy Kit PLATON which is developed by Diehl Defence. The land vehicle in the follow-me-mode operates without active sensors, such as LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and GPS, which could be easily detected or jammed by the enemy. The UGV manoeuvers, for example, the armed forces’ equipment around trees, is able to evacuate injured soldiers and manages obstacles by either avoiding or, if possible, driving over them.

The Diehl Defence UGV is based on the Ziesel platform from Mattro. With its small dimensions of 148 x 123 cm (LxW), its low dead weight of 350 kg and a maximum payload of more than 500 kg, this vehicle is the perfect infantry support when it comes to the transport of heavy equipment in the terrain. Due to its high maneuverability, the UGV can accompany soldiers through dense wooded areas without impeding them. Equipped with exchangeable 10 kWh lithium-ion batteries, Mattro Ziesel operates completely electrically, attracts no attention by loud running or engine noises and is able to reach a speed of up to 20 km/h.

High-ranking visitors from all over the world took part in this event. Annette Lehnigk-Emden, President of the BAAINBw, also joined ELROB and was able to gain an impression of the current capability of the Diehl Defence UGV.