This article is the second in a series by Major General Saar Tzur on the role of robotics in modern warfare. Major General Tzur led the Israel Defense Forces Northern Corps and Maneuver Array during the Swords of Iron War. The first article in this series envisioned the future of ground robotics. This article examines the present.
According to Mark Milley, former US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a third of all military vehicles will be unmanned within 15 years. However, General Milley’s comment is not only aspirational: semi-autonomous ground robots already play a transformative role on the battlefield (or as the Americans call it Battlespace) of 2025.
This transformative role emerged from a developing concept in military robotics: human-machine integrated teams, also known as manned-unmanned teams. This concept recognizes that unmanned systems deliver enormous tactical and strategic benefits, but autonomy technology is not ready to be in control. Instead, semi-autonomous systems automate certain activities, while soldiers continue to supervise and remotely control robot operation. This concept of human-machine integration has proven to save lives, maximize operational efficiency, and improve combat effectiveness.
The IDF "Victory Concept"
Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi, IDF Chief of General Staff 2019-2023, pursued a “Victory Concept” to reduce the time and cost needed to achieve strategic goals. Guided by this Victory Concept, the IDF came to see ground-based unmanned vehicles as force multipliers: they enable soldiers to achieve results far faster and with minimum casualties than otherwise possible. Commanders can deploy unmanned vehicles for tasks that are too aggressive or dangerous for a human operator, and the human operator faces much lower risks.
During the Swords of Iron War, the IDF implemented the unmanned vehicle concepts developed under General Kochavi’s Victory Concept. Teleoperated ground robots carried out many dangerous tasks, such as:
- Clearing mined paths in advance of the main force.
- Conducting advance reconnaissance to detect enemy cameras, tunnels, and observation posts.
- Serving as decoys to draw first enemy fire.
Extending the human-machine integration, these robots and their teleoperators also coordinate with drones monitoring the airspace. Drones identify and neutralize threats both before and during combat, and ground forces and drones share information to build a clearer picture of the battlefield. The addition of unmanned ground vehicles, and their coordination with both air and ground forces in fully integrated formations, marks a major shift in combat dynamics.
The advantages of teleoperated robots go beyond reconnaissance. For example, think back to a critical moment in the Ukraine war when long Russian convoys were destroyed. Now, imagine if those convoys had been teleoperated instead. The benefits would be enormous: lives would be saved, and operational effectiveness would be dramatically improved. By operating teleoperated vehicles, human personnel would not be put at risk, and they could transport critical supplies much more efficiently and safely. This approach allows military forces to carry out vital logistics and supply missions without exposing personnel to dangerous situations, enhancing overall mission success.
The introduction of teleoperated vehicles represents much more than a technical advancement: it drives changes in military thinking. Executing missions remotely reduces risk and enhances efficiency. Teleoperated vehicles can carry out the most dangerous tasks faster and further from forces than soldiers can, while also keeping soldiers safer. So they are a force multiplier as well as a life-saving tool.
Ottopia’s Role in the Future of Military Robotics
As technology evolves, companies like Ottopia are crucial in supporting these capabilities. As the Israel Ministry of Defense recently noted:
"Ottopia has adapted its technology to enhance the IDF’s operational capabilities. Its battle-proven platform enables soldiers to remotely operate any vehicle, in any mission, across complex and contested environments—from thousands of miles away. Unlike traditional remote control systems, Ottopia technology enables reliable, long-range, secure remote control of entire vehicle formations. This capability enables man-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) across satellite, RF and cellular networks."
"Ottopia has adapted its technology to enhance the IDF’s operational capabilities. Its battle-proven platform enables soldiers to remotely operate any vehicle, in any mission, across complex and contested environments—from thousands of miles away."
Israel Ministry of Defense
After October 7th, 2023, Ottopia expanded into the defense sector, providing teleoperation solutions for a wide variety of IDF vehicles—bulldozers, trucks, and more. The introduction of teleoperated solutions to the IDF marks a long-awaited breakthrough connecting advanced new technology with the latest advancements in military doctrine.
This shift is pivotal for the future of warfare. The integration of teleoperated systems will define military operations, allowing for greater efficiency, lower costs, and faster success. The future is already here, and it’s our responsibility to make sure it’s fully realized. This transformation will shape how wars are fought and won in the years ahead.
