German soldier builds rolling machine gun decoy robot

An infantry officer in Germany has developed a mobile machine gun simulator robot for use during training or as a decoy in real combat situations.

Army 1st Lt. Marc Wietfeld presented his invention — named after Gereon, patron saint of soldiers — at the German army officer school in Dresden.

The 20-inch-high machine resembles a robot vacuum cleaner equipped with off-road tires and battlefield simulation equipment, making it a “capable stand-in” for enemy forces during exercises or a practical tool during actual combat.