Robotic mules ‘join’ Army; drones, high-altitude tents under evaluation

Last Updated25/09/2024

The robotic mule can climb stairs, steep hills and other hurdles and can operate in extreme temperatures, ranging from -40 to +55 degrees Celsius and carry a payload of 15kg.

The Indian Army has made significant advancements in high-altitude operational technology by inducting 100 robotic mules and testing logistics drones to streamline support and movement in forward areas, especially under extreme weather conditions.
Additionally, new high-altitude shelters capable of withstanding temperatures as low as -40°C are under evaluation.

The Army recently procured and inducted 100 robotic mules under the fourth tranche of emergency procurements (EP) conducted between September 2022 and September 2023. These robotic mules are designed to navigate various terrains, including unstructured urban and natural environments.
Arjun Aggarwal, the Managing Director and CEO of AeroArc, described the robotic mule as a highly durable, all-weather ground robot capable of enduring extreme temperatures ranging from -40°C to +55°C. Key features include:
- Ability to climb stairs, steep hills, and cross water obstacles.
- Capacity to carry a payload of up to 15 kg.
- Equipped with electro-optics and infrared capabilities for object recognition.

The Himtech symposium in Leh also showcased "Peak Pods," a high-altitude tent designed by DTECH 360 Innovations to provide shelter in sub-zero temperature regions. This innovative tent maintains an interior temperature of up to 15°C even when the outside temperature drops to -40°C, all without using fuel or electricity.
Vinay Mittal, Managing Director of DTECH 360 Innovations, explained that the Peak Pods come with the following features:
- Rapid deployment capability with dismantlable 30 kg blocks.
- Inbuilt bio-toilets for added convenience.
- Tested at high-altitude locations such as Leh (11,500 feet), Daulat Beg Oldie (16,700 feet), and Durbuk (12,500 feet).
The Indian Army is currently evaluating these Peak Pods and has expressed optimism about their utility, especially for military bases, research stations, adventure tourism destinations, and disaster relief camps.

A Drone-A-Thon 2 competition was held at Wari La in September, where over 20 Indian drone manufacturers participated, showcasing their capabilities to the Army. The first prize in the logistics category went to Scandron Pvt Ltd for their CargoMax 4000Q drone.

Successfully carried a 20 kg load during the Him-DronaThon challenge, which required a drone to take off from an altitude of 15,400 feet, reach 18,000 feet, and return after delivering cargo.
Capable of carrying a load of up to 50 kg over a maximum range of 10 km.
Has an altitude ceiling of 6,000 meters and is scheduled to be tested at Umling La, over 19,000 feet, in October.