ARX Robotics Secures €31M to Develop Battlefield Robots
▼ Summary
– ARX Robotics secured €31 million to enhance production of autonomous battlefield robots and advance its AI-powered Mithras OS for retrofitting military vehicles.
– The firm plans to retrofit 50,000 NATO vehicles with its technology, aiming to lead Europe’s modular defense solutions market.
– ARX is investing £45 million in a UK facility to produce 1,800 autonomous ground vehicles annually, capable of carrying up to 500kg across difficult terrains.
– The robots use modular components for easy repairs and can be remotely operated, enhancing battlefield resilience.
– ARX’s technology is tested with various European armed forces and has been deployed in Ukraine, with support from NATO’s Innovation Fund and the European Defence Agency.
German defense technology firm ARX Robotics has secured €31 million in funding to accelerate production of its autonomous battlefield robots, marking a significant step in modernizing military operations. The investment will also support advancements in the company’s proprietary Mithras OS, an AI-powered system designed to upgrade existing military vehicles with autonomous capabilities.
ARX, which counts NATO’s Innovation Fund among its backers, aims to retrofit up to 50,000 NATO vehicles with its cutting-edge technology. Marc Wietfeld, co-founder and CEO, envisions the company becoming Europe’s leader in modular, software-driven defense solutions. “The demand for adaptable military systems is surging, and we’re positioned to shape this sector,” Wietfeld noted.
The company recently unveiled plans to invest £45 million in a new UK facility, expected to manufacture 1,800 autonomous ground vehicles annually. These rugged machines, resembling compact tanks, operate on treads and can be equipped with various payloads—from radar systems to medical evacuation stretchers. The largest model can transport up to 500kg, including wounded personnel, across challenging terrain.
Designed for battlefield resilience, ARX’s robots use modular, off-the-shelf European components, allowing soldiers to perform quick repairs without specialized tools. While the vehicles navigate autonomously, operators can take control remotely via tablet interfaces.
Military adoption and expansion
ARX’s technology has already undergone testing with armed forces in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, and the UK. Earlier this year, the company delivered 30 units to Ukrainian forces engaged in active combat. Additionally, the European Defence Agency (EDA) selected ARX to contribute to the EU’s inaugural defense innovation program.
“ARX has deployed the largest Western fleet of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) to Ukraine,” said Chris O’Connor of the NATO Innovation Fund. “We’re excited to support their expansion across NATO nations.”
The funding round was led by HV Capital, with participation from Omnes Capital and existing investors, including Project A. This financial boost aligns with broader European defense spending increases, such as the EU’s €800 billion “ReArm Europe” initiative and the UK’s pledge to allocate 2.5% of GDP to defense, with a focus on next-gen technologies.
For those interested in hearing Wietfeld’s insights firsthand, he’ll be speaking at the upcoming TNW Conference. Attendees can use the code TNWXMEDIA2025 for a 30% discount on tickets.
(Source: The Next Web)
