UGV Hector: ARX Robotics unveils wheeled mid-size ground vehicle for Europe's land forces

ARX Robotics has presented a new wheeled mid-size UGV: Hector. According to a recent company press release, the unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) is designed to offer European land forces greater speed, longer range and autonomy built on a software-first principle.

Hector is based on the combat-proven Mithra OS operating system, and the platform is software-defined from the outset. ARX Robotics thus adds a new land-domain capability to its portfolio. Because crewed operation is also optionally possible, units gain “additional flexibility and extended mission profiles”, according to the press release. The company explains the rationale as follows: “European land forces have so far lacked a mass-producible mid-size UGV that keeps pace with mobile forces while enabling safe, supervisable autonomy and seamless integration into existing command structures.” According to ARX, Hector is meant to close precisely this gap.

Optional crewing and a modular design based on the software-first approach allow Hector to be deployed as an autonomous unmanned system. This means missions can be carried out faster and tactical flexibility on the battlefield increases.

The UGV in two drive variants

Hector will be available in two versions. With a combustion engine, the vehicle offers maximum range and endurance in prolonged operations, and refuelling is also simpler. The all-electric version, by contrast, has low acoustic and thermal signatures and can be charged more easily directly in the area of operations.

Both variants share open payload interfaces, encrypted communication systems and an onboard computer module from ARX Robotics that runs Mithra OS and ensures autonomous operational capability. Hector is designed as a human-in-the-loop system: in addition to supervised autonomy, crewed operation is optionally possible.

Hector provides a capability that closes Europe's gap in mass and speed. It is a networked, autonomous ground system tailored to industrial production and large-scale deployment. Interoperability is ensured by the software-defined architecture and the modular payloads, both adapted to European requirements. The platform thus remains adaptable across different operational scenarios, meets the relevant regulations and can be easily integrated into existing structures.

Marc Wietfeld, CEO of ARX Robotics, said: “European land forces need unmanned systems, with higher speed, greater range, that integrate seamlessly into existing command structures. That is exactly what this new platform delivers. It extends the reach of our fleet while staying true to our mission of increasing survivability at the front.”

For COO Stefan Röbel, the architecture is the focus: “With a software-first architecture based on Mithra OS, we can roll out, update and scale capabilities across a mixed fleet. This UGV brings the speed and range our users have asked for, without compromising on integration or security.”