UGVs

Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) are robotic platforms that operate on the ground without a human aboard. They can be controlled remotely or programmed to execute tasks autonomously, using onboard sensors, computation, and communication links to a human operator or control system. UGVs are deployed to access dangerous, difficult, or inaccessible environments where human presence would be risky.

UGVs employ propulsion such as wheels, tracks, or legs and carry sensors and manipulators appropriate to their mission. Common payloads include cameras, LiDAR, radar, thermal imaging, and chemical or seismic sensors. Onboard processors run perception, navigation, and task-management software, while external communications—radio, satellite, or mesh networks—link the vehicle to operators or control centers.

Autonomy in UGVs ranges from teleoperation and supervisory control to full autonomy. Navigation relies on SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping), obstacle avoidance, and path planning. Mission planning may coordinate multiple UGVs or integrate with human teams. Safety, cybersecurity, and ethical considerations are integral to design and operation.

Applications span military and public safety (reconnaissance, surveillance, bomb disposal), industrial inspection and maintenance (in energy and infrastructure), agriculture (monitoring and autonomous weeding), logistics (intra-site transport), construction, and disaster response.

Challenges include limited endurance and payload, perception in complex environments, reliability, and regulatory constraints. Advances focus on better autonomy, resilient sensing, cooperative behavior among multiple vehicles, and user-friendly human-robot interfaces.