BRNO, Czech Republic, May 24, 2023 - Diehl Defence, a German defense industry powerhouse, has unveiled its revolutionary Ziesel Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) at the International Defence and Security Technologies (IDET) Exhibition in the Czech Republic. The Ziesel UGV is a lightweight vehicle that morphs the manned civilian platform from Austrian company Mattro into an autonomous platform, courtesy of Diehl's Platon autonomy kit.
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Dhiel Defence Ziesel UGV Unmanned Ground Vehicle. (Picture source Twitter)
The German company Diehl Defence completed the first Ziesel prototype in August 2019. The German Army has since acquired two prototypes Ziesel UGVs for testing and evaluation, signaling its potential for military application. With a primary design focus on close infantry support, this vehicle excels in roles such as logistics and casualty evacuation.
The Ziesel UGV distinguishes itself with its compact dimensions of 148 x 123 cm and a light dead weight of 300 kg. Despite its size, it is capable of bearing a maximum payload of over 300 kg, enabling it to transport heavy equipment across challenging terrains. Its impressive maneuverability and nearly silent operation, facilitated by its 10 kWh lithium-ion batteries, allows the Ziesel UGV to accompany soldiers even through densely forested areas, without causing disturbance.
Enhancing its capabilities, Diehl's Platon autonomy kit provides the Ziesel UGV with advanced operational possibilities. Through tele-operation, operators can remotely control the UGV via direct motion commands with various assistance functions available to aid the process. The UGV also features a "Follow Me" mode, where it follows a soldier while maintaining a safe distance and a predefined maximum speed.
Further, the UGV can also follow another vehicle or can be pushed to move ahead of a soldier, acting as a mobile cover. The vehicle can also navigate autonomously to predefined destination points based on map data or follow a recorded route while automatically avoiding obstacles.
Technical specifications of the Diehl Defence Ziesel UGV include a maximum speed of 20 km/h, engine torque of 1000 Nm, and the ability to tackle a maximum slope of 60%. The vehicle is fully electric, with a range of 40 km and 24-hour endurance. It measures 1310 x 1230 x 600 mm without payload and weighs 350 kg, but can handle a payload of up to 500 kg.
