81 the firefighters with recommendations based on its own AI analytics of its sensed surroundings. The firefighters would then just press a button to select the Wolf’s next course of action, and it can then carry that out autonomously.” The Wolf R1 as standard integrates four (non-stereo) cameras, statically positioned to capture 360° of video around it, principally for the remote driver’s awareness, but to enable machine vision-based autonomy in the near future, with a thermal camera for heat analysis. It additionally equips a water cannon for active firefighting, capable of pumping 3000 L/min at a range of up to 70 m. “The heart of this UGV is our VCU [vehicle control unit], by which digital signals can be processed and distributed throughout the robot’s systems, including a tethered or wireless data link to a UAV connected for capturing and transmitting a high-level view of the surroundings, with either visual or thermal imagery, for firefighters to use in their area assessments,” Hartke adds. The company also assembles and supplies mobile control centres, consisting of vans renovated to fit multiple GCS consoles (including five computer monitors and a number of gaming-type, industrial standard controllers, typically), as well as a loading bay to fit both a Wolf R1 UGV and a multirotor UAV. Hartke adds here that a critical part of the Wolf’s design was keeping it small enough to be carried by such a road vehicle, as otherwise the UGV would need to be engineered for sufficient speed (instead of torque) and autonomy to drive on public roads. For its own survival in the field, the UGV also integrates an automated camera cleaning system utilising compressed air spray cans, and also carries jets for spraying a water cloud about itself, which protects the vehicle against both fire and overheating at critical moments. Also installed is a winch capable of roughly 2.4 t of tractive force, with the UGV able to tow up to 4 t, and an extendable claw can be integrated to improve the UGV’s stance while hauling particularly heavy loads. “A robotic arm can also be integrated, and that’s something we’re especially focusing our AI R&D on; for instance, in grabbing objects or opening doors to clear its path through a dangerous area, without the operator needing to handle a cumbersome task like that via hand controller,” Hartke says. A Wolf C1 is also manufactured as an alternative to the R1 built around firefighting-related logistics functions, such as carrying up to 200 kg of water pumps or casualties. Passenger transport While the case for autonomous ‘robotaxi’ vehicles remains challenging, given the greater ease of use and security that human chauffeurs provide in covering bespoke, potentially ad hoc routes and waypoints, autonomous shuttles, buses and coaches continue to be developed with valuable niches in mind. With autonomous logistics and passenger transport trials both on sea and through the air proving definitively that autonomy can significantly UGVs | Insight Uncrewed Systems Technology | April/May 2025 The Wolf R1, originally a remotely-operated firefighting robot, is now being engineered for full autonomy, which could save many firefighters’ lives (Image courtesy of Alpha Robotics)
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