Robotics Firm Unveils New Type-X Robotic Combat Vehicle

Estonian robotics and autonomous systems company Milrem Robotics revealed this week that its Type-X Robotic Combat Vehicle (RVC) passed initial mobility tests.

First announced in the summer of last year, the Type-X RVC was designed to support battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles in combat and, in doing so, lower lethality risk for soldiers on the battlefield.

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Milrem Robotics' Type-X RCV

The Type-X is designed to be adaptable: it can be fitted with a cannon of up to 50 mm. With up to a 30 mm cannon the RCV is airdroppable.

By taking on the most dangerous tasks and positions, Milrem Robotics says, the Type-X acts as an "intelligent wingman" by taking on the risk of humans, Milrem Robotics explains.

"The Type-X will provide equal or overmatching firepower and tactical usage to a unit equipped with Infantry Fighting vehicles. It provides means to breach enemy defensive positions with minimal risk for own troops and replacing a lost RCV is purely a logistical nuance," says Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics.

'Intelligent functions' and 'Artificial Inteligence'

The Type-X weighs a relatively low 12 tons (10,886 kg) and has a low height of 2.2 m and a rear-engine, meaning it provides a low visual and heat signature. The RCV's "efficient power management provides a superior terrain capability," Milrem Robotics states.

"The vehicle will be equipped with intelligent functions such as follow-me, waypoint navigation, and obstacle detection with Artificial Intelligence being part of the algorithms," Väärsi explains. "Also, Milrem Robotics’ software developers have taken a totally new and innovative approach to allow remote controlled operations on higher speeds."

In order to develop the Type-X RCV, Milrem Robotics drew from the wealth of knowledge gained when developing its flagship THeMIS Unmanned Ground Vehicle, which has already been acquired by ten countries, seven of which are NATO members.