In a significant stride for India’s indigenous defence technology, Ahmedabad-based startup Gridbots has successfully completed trials of its Zeus HITMAN Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV). The cutting-edge robotic system, designed for battlefield operations, showcases advanced autonomy and combat capabilities, positioning India as an emerging player in the global defence innovation landscape.
This advanced UGV is designed for battlefield operations, featuring level 5 autonomy for outdoor environments, which allows it to navigate and operate independently. The HITMAN is equipped with the KATANA remote-controlled weapon station (RCWS), offering 360-degree pan and ±70-degree tilt capabilities, along with real-time tracking and firing for both stationary and moving targets, such as humans or vehicles. It can be armed with anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) or medium machine guns (MMGs), making it a versatile platform for various combat roles. It has the capability to move in swarms—automatic person/leader-following and auto-target-lock features to save time and resources of troops on the battlefield.
Gridbots shared the achievement on X, stating, ‘Finished NCNC trials at a firing range for Gridbots HITMAN. It has level 5 autonomy for outdoors & mounted AWS KATANA with 360 pan & ±70 deg tilt with real-time tracking and firing capabilities for stationary/moving human/vehicle targets for ATGM/MMG’s.
The trials, including NCNC (no-cost, no-commitment) tests at a firing range, have demonstrated its operational readiness and advanced features, marking a significant achievement in India’s defence technology sector under the Make In India initiative.
What is a no-cost, no-commitment test?
A “No-Cost, No-Commitment” (NCNC) test is a trial or evaluation process commonly used in the defence and technology sectors, where a product—such as equipment, software, or, in this case, Gridbots’ HITMAN Unmanned Ground Vehicle—is tested by a potential customer (often a military or government entity) without any financial cost or obligation to purchase.
Gridbots, founded with a vision to innovate in robotics and automation, has emerged as a key contributor to India’s defence startup ecosystem. Gridbots is a leading technology firm from India specializing in Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Vision. Founded in 2007 by Mr. Pulkit Gaur, a TED Fellow and MIT Young Innovator,
