Croatian researchers and Rheinmetall unveil robotic systems for high-risk crisis response

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing (FER) at the University of Zagreb, in collaboration with Rheinmetall Unmanned Vehicles (formerly DOK-ING), has unveiled advanced robotic systems designed for responding to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and explosive (CBRNe) threats. The final workshop for the CBRNe HERO project showcased the results of this initiative, demonstrating robotic solutions aimed at improving safety and efficiency in high-risk crisis situations.

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The greatest contribution of the HERO project is not the development of individual robots, but the creation of a system in which different robotic platforms cooperate with each other and together undertake the most dangerous tasks.

The project successfully developed a heterogeneous team of autonomous robotic systems capable of operating safely in hazardous environments. These robots can autonomously scout terrain, establish communication networks, collect samples, create digital models of the surroundings, and perform manipulation and decontamination tasks. This technology aims to reduce human exposure to danger.

Professor Matko Orsag, the project leader, emphasized that the project's main contribution lies not in individual robots, but in creating a system where different robotic platforms collaborate. "This allows humans to make decisions, and robots to enter areas that are too dangerous for humans," Orsag stated. He believes these heterogeneous robotic systems will become the standard for crisis response in the future.

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This allows humans to make decisions, and robots to enter areas that are too dangerous for humans. We believe that precisely these heterogeneous robotic systems will become the standard in responding to crisis situations in the future.

The workshop gathered representatives from various government bodies, academic institutions, and industry leaders, including the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Interior, and Ericsson Nikola Tesla. Dean Vedran Bilas of FER highlighted the laboratory's productivity and research strength, noting that the research reaches Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) of 3 or 4. He expressed hope for the continuation of a decades-long collaboration with Rheinmetall Unmanned Vehicles, now a significant player in the military and dual-use industry.

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The Laboratory for Robotics and Intelligent Control Systems is one of our most productive laboratories, which currently has over 30 members and 5 university professors, which speaks to its great research and development strength.