Ukrainian startups build cheap combat robots

An estimated 250 defense startups across Ukraine are building these machines at secret locations that often look like rural auto repair shops.

Employees at a startup run by entrepreneur Andrii Denysenko can assemble an unmanned ground vehicle called Odyssey in four days in a warehouse. Its most important selling point is its $35,000 price tag, about 10 percent of the price of imported models.

For welding and body repair, the warehouse is divided into small rooms with different functions including making fiberglass cargo boxes, painting cars green, and installing basic electronics, battery-powered motors, off-the-shelf cameras, and thermal sensors.

The Odyssey unmanned ground vehicle prototype weighs 800 kg. Photo: AP

Ukraine’s military is evaluating dozens of new types of unmanned aerial, land and sea vehicles made by grassroots startups whose production methods are far different from those of Western defense giants.

Engineers take inspiration from defense magazine articles or online videos to build low-cost vehicles. Weapons or smart components can be added later.

The 800kg prototype resembles a small tank, with no turret and tracks that can travel up to 30km on a single battery charge. It functions as a rescue and supply platform but could be modified to carry a remote-controlled heavy machine gun or throw explosives to clear mines.

“The robot teams will become logistics equipment, tractors, minelayers and deminers, as well as suicide robots,” a government fundraising page said after the launch of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Force. “The first robots have already proven their effectiveness on the battlefield.”

Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's Minister of Digital Transformation, is encouraging people to take free online courses and build drones at home. He wants Ukrainians to produce one million drones a year.

Entrepreneur Denysenko's company is working on other projects including an exoskeleton that could enhance soldiers' strength, as well as vehicles to transport equipment in difficult terrain.

Ukraine has semi-autonomous attack drones and AI-powered anti-drone weapons. The combination of cheap weapons and artificial intelligence tools is worrying many experts, who believe that cheap drones will become commonplace.

Ngoc Anh (according to AP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/cac-cong-ty-khoi-nghiep-ukraine-che-tao-robot-chien-dau-gia-re-post303646.html