S. Korea begins deployment of unmanned ground vehicles

The South Korean military has begun deploying its new multi-purpose unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) after a six-month trial in the country’s frontline border areas.

Developed by Hyundai Rotem, two UGVs were provided to the South Korean Army in mid-2021 for operational testing. The service tested their remote driving capabilities in various terrain and their ability to drive off-road autonomously.

According to the defense company, the six-wheeled unmanned vehicles are equipped with cameras that can detect images up to four kilometers (2.4 miles) away in real-time. They also feature a remote-controlled weapon station and a loading box capable of carrying more than 200 kilograms (440 pounds) of cargo.

All six wheels of the multi-purpose UGVs have an in-wheel motor, allowing each wheel to exert independent driving power — ideal for reconnaissance in rough coastal and border areas.

The UGVs are based on the HR-Sherpa, a six-wheeled unmanned vehicle with an electric drive system and a 360-degree rotation function. They travel up to 30 kilometers (18 miles) per hour.