The MTGR “Roni” and Probot are 2 unique military robots recently integrated into the IDF
And at present all levels, brigades, commands, branches and etc are arming with various military Robots and other unmanned vehicles. Its a natural evolution for IDF as it leads the world in asymmetric warfare and is the worlds arms manufacturing lab. However, until a few years ago, most of its robots were air force drones. Only recently is there a real attempt to integrate robots, like this MTGR Roni and Probot into infantry the land forces
“every aspect has its advantage” said Col. Ariel Avivi, head of the arms division in the IDF’s land command which is pioneering integration of robots into the IDF, in an interview to the IDF magazine. “And the use of robots allows infantry to be more effective, lethal and enhance their situational awareness during combat.” He added. But off course the biggest advantages of robots, aside from nobody having to “mourn their death”, is that can operate any time and place with no limitations. They don’t suffer from cold, heat, fatigue, don’t get sick and can work in extreme conditions round the clock. Just like the firefly UAV, they are a force multiplier.
“The Robots developed” says Col. Avivi “Can surveille, above and underground, penetrate narrow tunnels, do precise firing, operate complex communications systems and even bomb disposal. This robotic concept does NOT replace the human soldier. However, it gives him better situational awareness and protection while not having to expose himself.”
Two of those robots being used by IDF land forces
The leading infantry robot, or according to its official designation “Unmanned Ground Vehicle”, used by the IDF is the MTGR – “Mini Tactical Ground Robot”. Nicknamed “Roni” in the IDF and Israeli media.
The MTGR Roni can do an entire 360 flip
Once the team are in urban warfare or other none line of sight environments they send in the MTGR instead of exposing themselves. It can climb stairs, rocks, rubble, go in narrow tunnels, through mud and water, high grass and bushes and other rough terrain and obstacles. It’s even possible to parachute it in! It’s all weather day and and night and a single soldier can carry it on his back and weighs 9 KG approx. It has intuitive “arms” which can move and carry big and small objects, dispose bombs and more. It’s modular for various types of terrains (indoor and outdoor)
Its has twin electrical engines which are powered by a lithium battery and has a 2-4 hour working time. It’s equipped with 5 day and night camera’s offering 360° situational awareness, a mic, lasers and sensors. The lasers & sensors find IED, enemy arms caches and moe. It can travel 2 mph and carry a payload of 10 KG. One of It’s camera, when lifted, actually reminds a little of ET. Even though on paper there are plans to make it lethal, for now the capability wasn’t added as it is still in the maturing process. Each unit costs around 70K
It’s operated with a comfortable, ergonomic and intuitive wireless remote control tablet called Rocu-7. The tablet is universal “one size fits all” for ALL unmanned systems, air land and sea.
Who is it used by?
It’s used by all IDF infantry units, 2 robots in each unit, and also in numerous other countries.A few days ago the New Zealand MOD selected Roboteams robots to “be part” of its armed forces. It already gained experience in Gaza, although its most famous use were videos from inside tunnels the Hezbollah built along the Israel – Lebanon border back in December. Through a variety of methods, Israel uncovered the tunnels but the final confirmation came from the MTGR Roni when it was sent in. After that they destroyed the tunnels or filled them with mud.
The Manufacturer is Roboteam founded by to former IDF special forces operatives elad levy and Yossi Wolf and Its CEO is Shahar Abuhazira. The company has 4 lead products in addition to the MTGR Roni. Their robots sell to 20 countries and dozens of law enforcement agencies in the US. They have 70 million USD revenue and have around 100 employee’s in Israel, Maryland and PA.
The 2nd robot – Probot.
Probot is a payload carrier which carries heavy payloads for the platoon and acts like a carrier mule. It’s basically an ATV with bars and a wooden board on it and is quite and powerful. Thanks to Probot, soldiers need to carry less payload and are less tired, can carry more arms and ammo (whet doesn’t get into the Probot) and in general arrive stronger to battle.
It’s autonomous cause it has a unique technology called “follow me”. Meaning, the robot can follow, autonomously, a designated “leader” which can be a platoon leader, vehicle or another robot. It does so with its camera’s or sensors. Another thing the sensors do is prevent collisions with its “anti-collishion” technology. If it follows a car and then the car stops, than so does the Probot.
Its engine is electrical and can drive consecutively 8-10 hours and up to 38 KM can carry up to 700 KG payload.It can stand idle for 72 hours. The Probot has 8 camera’s offering 360 ° situational awareness and a tall antenna. It has a special internal balance mechanism preventing it from flipping over even in the roughest terrain. Like ATV’s, it’s all weather and all terrain and either rubber tracked or rubber wheeled, depending on the terrain. It can even go over thin tree’s, and it is partly amphibious.
In addition to payloads it can carry also injured soldiers on stretchers
IDF even weaponized it by adding machine gun on its top and it participated in drills although it not yet armed the actual infantry units.
in This video there is a full exercise ONLY with robots and Unmanned Ground Vehicles, INCLUDING the APC’s. At 01:222 is the MTGR Roni and at 01:45 the Probot ARMED!
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