Ukraine is putting up a good fight in the ongoing war against Russia, with help of course from NATO and other countries, but the creativity of the masses in developing low-cost robots for fighting and reconnaissance purposes is also playing a huge role.
Kyiv has officially used multiple makeshift drones in the past to strike targets deep inside Russian territory to hurt the enemy’s war efforts.
Necessity is the mother of invention, and in times as desperate as the ongoing war the Ukrainian masses are leaving no stone unturned to boost their own defense capability and also to provide their forces with dangerous drones.
The Ukrainian forces are assessing the multiple cutting-edge drones built at dirt-cheap costs by its people to boost their efforts in the war.
Drones played a significant role in the Russia-Ukraine war
Drones have been used at an unprecedented scale in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Both sides have relied on multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and ground drones for reconnaissance, surveillance and attack purposes.
Drone warfare has proven to be a crucial factor, and both sides are trying to get the upper hand in customizing drones to meet the desired goals.
One such example is that of the unmanned ground vehicle, called Odyssey, built by a startup in Ukraine. The Odyssey can be assembled in just four days by the startup, what’s more amazing is that its price is just $35,000 – which is roughly 10% the cost of an imported model with similar abilities.
According to a report published by the Associated Press, the Odyssey is made in a tiny shed owned by the entrepreneur Andrii Denysenko under the company’s name. This is a remarkable example of ingenuity, but it is not the lone one.
The report describes the unmanned ground vehicle as a 1,750-pound prototype that looks like a small, turretless tank. It is meant for rescue and logistics missions but can be fitted with a remotely operated heavy machine gun or mine-clearing charges if the need be.
Multiple innovations are underway
Denysenko’s company is also planning to build a motorized exoskeleton that can improve the abilities of a soldier.
In the past, an unnamed Ukrainian tech startup had reportedly developed a new artificial intelligence (AI)- enabled drone that can recognize and engage targets based on visual triggers, like a specific uniform. The drones can work as a swarm and can communicate with one another.
The startup claims this enables the drones to make rapid decisions autonomously. However, to prevent accidents (like potential friendly fire), the drones can only engage with the authorization of a human-in-the-loop.
With the war showing no signs of stoppage or slowing down, more such innovations will keep coming out of Ukrainian companies being run in building basements or with makeshift arrangements.
Ukraine had become the first country to have a dedicated Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) branch of the military in May this year.
The USF is constantly trying out new capabilities to strengthen Ukraine’s resistance against Russian forces and these low-cost alternatives being made across the country can definitely make its job easier.
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Abhishek Bhardwaj Abhishek brings a wealth of experience in covering diverse stories across different beats. Having contributed to renowned wire agencies and Indian media outlets like ANI and NDTV, he is keenly interested in Tech, Business and Defense coverage.
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