Northern Ukraine – In a bid to counter manpower shortages and overwhelming odds against Russian forces, Ukraine is harnessing the power of innovation to develop a low-cost robot army. Secret workshops, hidden away in abandoned warehouses and factory basements, have become the breeding ground for this ecosystem of laboratories. Approximately 250 defense startups across Ukraine are working tirelessly to create these killing machines, often operating out of inconspicuous locations resembling rural car repair shops.
One such startup, led by entrepreneur Andrii Denysenko, has managed to assemble an unmanned ground vehicle called the Odyssey in just four days. The most significant advantage of this vehicle is its price tag, coming in at a mere $35,000, which is approximately 10% of the cost of imported models. Denysenko has requested that the exact location of the workshop remain undisclosed to safeguard the infrastructure and the individuals involved.
Within these covert facilities, small rooms are partitioned for various tasks such as welding, bodywork, and the production of essential components. The vehicles are equipped with fiberglass cargo beds, painted in gun-green, and fitted with basic electronics, battery-powered engines, off-the-shelf cameras, and thermal sensors. The military is currently evaluating numerous unmanned air, ground, and marine vehicles manufactured by these no-frills startups, which operate in stark contrast to the methods employed by giant Western defense companies.
In May, the Unmanned Systems Forces became the fourth branch of Ukraine’s military, joining the army, navy, and air force. Engineers draw inspiration from defense magazines and online videos to develop cost-effective platforms, with the option to add weapons or smart components later. The car-sized Odyssey, one of UkrPrototyp’s drones, recently demonstrated its capabilities in a cornfield in northern Ukraine. This 800-kilogram (1,750-pound) prototype, resembling a small, turretless tank on tracks, can travel up to 30 kilometers (18.5 miles) on a single charge of its battery, which is roughly the size of a small beer cooler. While currently serving as a rescue-and-supply platform, it can be modified to carry a remotely operated heavy machine gun or deploy mine-clearing charges.
The government’s fundraising page for Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces highlights the versatility of these robots, envisioning them as logistics devices, tow trucks, minelayers, deminers, and even self-destructive units. The page also emphasizes the effectiveness of the initial robots deployed on the battlefield.
Mykhailo Fedorov, the deputy prime minister for digital transformation, is actively encouraging citizens to participate in free online courses and assemble aerial drones at home. His goal is for Ukrainians to produce one million flying machines annually. Denysenko’s company is currently working on projects such as a motorized exoskeleton to enhance soldiers’ strength and carrier vehicles designed to transport equipment and assist soldiers in navigating inclines.
Fedorov expressed his determination to expedite the development of unmanned technologies, stating, “We will do everything to make unmanned technologies develop even faster. (Russia’s) murderers use their soldiers as cannon fodder, while we lose our best people.”
Ukraine already possesses semi-autonomous attack drones and counter-drone weapons equipped with artificial intelligence (AI). However, the combination of low-cost weapons and AI tools has raised concerns among experts, who fear that the proliferation of inexpensive drones could lead to a significant escalation in conflicts. Leaders in technology, the United Nations, and the Vatican have all expressed apprehension regarding the use of drones and AI in weaponry, as it may lower the threshold for lethal actions.
Toby Walsh, a professor of artificial intelligence at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, warns, “Cheaper drones will enable their proliferation, and their autonomy is also only likely to increase.”