Unmanned Ground Vehicles Market Size, Share, Growth, & Russia-Ukraine War Impact & Industry Analysis, By Type (Combat UGV, Combat Support UGV, Reconnaissance UGV, ISR UGV), By Mobility (Wheeled, Tracked, Hybrid, Legged), By Size (Small, Medium, Large, Very Large, and Extremely Large (>2000Lbs)), By Mode of Operation (Tethered, Teleoperated, & Autonomous), By System (Payload, Control System, Navigation System), By Application (Military, Commercial, Law Enforcement), and Regional Forecasts, 2024-2032

The global unmanned ground vehicles market size was valued at USD 3.07 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 3.29 billion in 2024 to USD 6.35 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 8.6% during the forecast period. North America dominated the unmanned ground vehicles market with a market share of 41.37% in 2023.

An Unmanned Ground Vehicle is a vehicle that touches the ground and can function and perform tasks without any humans on board. UGVs provide a flexible robotic system application and multiple applications and mobility support. The main applications of these vehicles are in the defense sector, carrying supplies, surveillance, and assisting in explosive deactivation. This reduces the risk of human lives and impressive vehicle combat performance in civilian applications. These are the primary market drivers for the unmanned ground vehicle industry.

Vehicles mainly use sensors that monitor their environment and make decisions automatically in unpredictable situations and in case of unknown information. The UGV uses this information to communicate this information through various communication methods to the user operating the UGV when assistance is required. Market growth is fueled by increasing demand for UGVs in civilian applications, such as nuclear power plant operations, urban search and rescue operations, agricultural cleaning and spraying, firefighting, and crowd control.

RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR IMPACT

Rising Investments in Strengthening Armed Forces to Positively Influence the Demand for the Autonomous Products

The Russia-Ukraine war increased defense expenditure and strengthened defense forces from NATO countries. The Russian defense forces used the Uran-6 during the war. It is one of the most advanced UGVs. It is a medium-class complex with a distinctive jug-eared look due to the launchers on the sides. The combat vehicle is outfitted with anti-tank guided missiles, 30-mm automatic cannons, and flamethrowers from Shmel.

Most European countries have increased their defense spending due to the Russian invasion. Germany increased its defense spending to more than 2% of GDP, showing USD 109 billion, higher than the 2021 defense bill. In addition, Poland and Denmark announced that they would increase their defense budgets for security reasons. This increased spending increases the overall capability of these military forces.

For instance, the U.S. government approved USD 13.6 billion for humanitarian and security assistance. The U.S. will provide Ukraine with USD 800 million in weapons, including anti-aircraft systems, machine guns, small arms, grenade launchers, drones, and anti-armor systems. Thus, growing defense expenditure from European countries and increasing deliveries of next-generation remote control unmanned ground vehicles to Ukraine from NATO countries drive the unmanned ground vehicles market growth.

Unmanned Ground Vehicles Market Trends

Introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Develop Intelligent UGVs

In recent years, key players have started focusing on developing next-generation vehicles for efficient and reliable operations. The latest technology and artificial intelligence in unmanned ground vehicles will enhance performance. It is designed to withstand challenging off-grid military operations and is helpful in various terrains such as cliffs, grasslands, snow, deserts, and muddy roads. The newly launched robots can carry up to a payload of 352 pounds (160 kilograms) and run 10 kilometers per hour. Intelligent unmanned autonomous systems are man-made and are capable of operations or management using advanced technologies without human intervention.

For example, in February 2021, Torus Robotic Pvt Ltd., a Chennai-based startup, partnered with BEML to develop Artificial Intelligence (AI) based UGV. It can be used in terrain conditions, extreme weather, logistics, and surveillance. Furthermore, in January 2022, China launched the world’s largest electrically powered quadruped robot that helps military reconnaissance missions and logistics.

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Unmanned Ground Vehicles Market Growth Factors

Growing Demand for Autonomous Systems for Defense and Commercial Applications to Propel Market Development

The rise in demand for autonomous unmanned ground vehicles from the defense and commercial sectors is due to their wide applications. These autonomous vehicles are used in the agriculture sector in soil sampling, mechanical weed control, irrigation management, harvesting, and precision spraying. In addition, the defense forces have widely used these vehicles for combat support, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance activities. Thus, the growing procurement of advanced robots from defense is driving market growth.

The unmanned ground vehicles are embedded with three mobility levels, computer-aided driving, autonomous control, and teleoperation. The system consists of the following sensors: visual, radar, LIDAR, ultrasonic range, vehicle-to-vehicle communication, and GPS. UGVs can be applied for various economic purposes, such as to transport parcels in an automatically locked compartment, to local security using intelligent video surveillance systems, and control industrial facilities through thermographic cameras and gas detectors.

For instance, in February 2021, an Indian startup tied up with BEML for joint development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) based indigenous unmanned ground vehicles. The 750kg autonomous UGV can be deployed in extreme terrain and weather conditions. It can also be used for surveillance and logistics.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Reduction in Defense Budgets and Issues Related to Bandwidth and Reliability to Hamper Market Growth

Reduction in military spending from various countries and reduced expenditure on research & development hinder the market growth. Interruptions in bandwidth with wireless solutions and even with some wired solutions caused a slow reaction time for the controller to the actual UGV. The bandwidth affects other interconnected vehicles due to slow reaction time.

For instance, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the U.S. military expenditure amounted to USD 801 billion in 2021, which shows a drop of 1.4% from 2020. The U.S. military burden decreased slightly from 3.7% of GDP in 2020 to 3.5% in 2021.

Unmanned ground vehicles contain various hardware systems, such as sensors, communication, and control systems. Failure issues of these hardware systems can hinder the growth of the market. Dropped signals in wireless-controlled robots were the most frequently encountered problems in communication. In addition, there is a waste of time due to occluded camera views and incorrect lighting during search operations. Hence, factors such as component failures and reliability issues may hinder the market growth over the study period.

Unmanned Ground Vehicles Market Segmentation Analysis

By Type Analysis

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Rising Adoption of EOD UGVs in the Defense Sector for Different Types of Operations to Drive the Segmental Growth

By type, the market is classified into combat, combat support, reconnaissance, ISR, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) UGVs.

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) UGV segment is anticipated to hold the highest market share during the forecast period. The increasing demand for explosive disposal owing to cross-border skirmishes creates a lucrative opportunity for segmental growth over the coming years. For instance, in December 2022, the U.S. Air Force awarded a contract to L3Harris Technologies to supply T7 Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unmanned Ground Vehicle robots. Under the agreement, L3Harries delivered 100 UGVs, and the total value was around USD 85 million.

Furthermore, the combat UGV segment is expected to grow at a substantial CAGR over the study period. The increasing demand for combat UGV in defense for protection against various threats in all platforms, such as land, navy, and air, drives segmental growth. For instance, in February 2023, the European Agency (EDA) announced the combat unmanned ground system development project. Under this project, Combat Unmanned Ground Systems (CUGS) demonstrator’s standard-based architecture will be developed during the first phase. In addition, combat functional modules will be designed and developed in the project's second phase. The total project cost is USD 38 million, and nine European Union members are involved with 28 European industry partners.

By Mobility Analysis

Rising Number of Procurement Contracts to Propel the Demand for Tracked UGVs

Based on mobility, the market is divided into legged, wheeled, hybrid, and tracked.

The tracked segment held the largest share in 2023. The segment is projected to be the fastest growing segment, with a maximum CAGR during the forecast period. The growth is attributed to procuring next-generation tracked UGVs and growing defense expenditure. For instance, in December 2022, Estonian company Milrem Robotics and German base company Krauss-Maffia Wegmann announced partnerships and signed an agreement to deliver 14 THeMIS-tracked Unmanned Ground Vehicles to the Ukrainian army.

The wheeled segment is estimated to have the fastest growing market after the tracked segment in 2023. Its growth is due to the surging demand for UGVs for military operations. The need for unmanned wheeled vehicles is increasing in industrial, natural, and mining environments, used for area mapping, scene understanding, and manipulation.

For instance, in June 2020, Teledyne FLIR secured contracts worth USD 23.5 million under the U.S. Army’s Man Transportable Robotic System Increment II (MTRS Inc II) program. Under the contract, the company will deliver 160 Centaur (UGV) units to the U.S. Army and Navy.

By Size Analysis

Increasing Demand for Small and Lightweight Robots for Military and Commercial Applications to Boost the Segment Growth

Based on size, the market is divided into small (10-200 lbs), medium (200 - 500 lbs), large (500 - 1000 lbs), very large (1000- 2000 lbs), and extremely large (>2000 lbs).

The small (10-200 lbs) segment was estimated to be the largest and fastest-growing in 2023. This growth is due to increased demand for small and light robots, which can be used both on battlefields and commercially for a wide range of military activities such as Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) and combat operations. Industrial small UGVs also use Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) for collision avoidance and maneuvering throughout facilities. Furthermore, small UGVs are used for commercial applications, driving the market growth.

The small segment is followed by the medium (200 - 500 lbs) segment and showcased a significant growth rate during the forecast period. The expansion is attributed to the introduction of next-generation robots and rising spending on the defense sector from various countries.

By Mode of Operation Analysis

Experimentation with Advanced Autonomous UGVs by Key Players to Drive Market Growth

By mode of operation, the market is classified into tethered, autonomous, and teleoperated.

The autonomous segment is estimated to be the fastest-growing segment by CAGR during the forecast period due to the rising adoption of autonomous UGVs for ISR and search & rescue operations. For instance, in May 2022, the British Ministry of Defense signed a contract with Rheinmetall AG to supply its seven Mission Master Autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicles (A-UGVs) to assess their effectiveness in operating with ground troops.

The teleoperated segment is the dominant and largest segment by market share in 2023. The segment is anticipated to grow due to its advantages such as enhanced situational awareness, head-aimed remote viewers, low-latency digital video, and others. For instance, in August 2022, Edgeforce has launched ASTRO (Autonomous Surveillance and Tracking Rover) UGV equipped with teleoperated and autonomous modes which can be deployed for surveillance operations. ASTRO UGV is an all-weather, rugged, semi-amphibious platform. It is a suitable UGV platform for armed forces, paramilitary forces, and gendarmerie for their operations.

By System Analysis

Increasing Demand for Communication Links and Guidance Interfaces to Boost Others Segment Growth

Based on system, the market is segmented into payload, control system, navigation system, power system, and others.

The others segment held the largest share of the global market. The increased adoption rate of equipment such as communication links, guidance interfaces, sensor systems, and integration features is anticipated to drive segmental growth. In November 2022, ZeroEyes was awarded a contract by the U.S. Air Force to research and develop AI-based sensors for automated threat detection. The total cost of the agreement was around USD 1.2 million.

The power system sub-segment is the fastest growing during the forecast period. The advancement in battery and power transmission technology is driving segmental growth. In August 2021, Asylon, an automated robotics security provider, was awarded a contract to supply custom battery solutions for unmanned ground vehicles for the U.S. Space Forces.

By Application Analysis

Rising Use of UGVs for Various Military Applications to Drive Segment Growth

Based on application, the market is classified into military, commercial, law enforcement, and federal law enforcement.

The military segment dominated the global market in 2023 and is expected to lead during the forecast period. The segment is also the fastest growing segment during 2023-2030. The use of unmanned vehicles has saved many lives in the military sector. UGVs are used for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) such as landmines, heavy loading items, and repairing ground conditions under enemy fire. The military uses UGV technology to develop robots outfitted with machine guns and grenade launchers that may replace soldiers.

The commercial segment follows the military segment in terms of market share and growth rate. The expansion is due to the increasing use of robots for commercial applications in the healthcare, transportation, and automotive sectors.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

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Regionally, the market is divided into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the rest of the world.

North America dominated the global unmanned ground vehicles market share in 2023 and is estimated to dominate throughout the forecast period. The region's dominance is due to the highest defense budget and increasing spending on procuring next-generation military robots for numerous applications. For instance, in April 2021, the U.S. Army signed a contract worth USD 31.6 million with FLIR Systems to build the Man Transportable Robot System Increment II (MTRS Inc II). It can detect, identify, confirm, and dispose of concealed explosives.

Asia Pacific is expected to witness the highest market growth throughout the forecast period. The region's dominance is due to the increasing defense budget and spending on procuring next-generation military robots for numerous applications. The growth is due to increasing defense budgets of India and China. Furthermore, the rapid expansion of military forces, rising political disputes among neighboring countries, and increasing terrorism lead to the growing demand for UGVs.

Europe also showed a significant growth rate during the forecast period. Its growth is attributed to the rising defense expenditure from countries such as the U.K., Russia, Germany, France, and others. For instance, in August 2021, Russia's Ministry of Defense signed a contract for a prototype of the Shturm unmanned ground vehicle system based on the T-72 Main Battle Tank (MBT).

The rest of the world market is growing moderately during the forecast period. The Middle East & Africa is the fastest growing region in the rest of the world. One of the key players in the Middle East region is Katmerciler. The region of Latin America is also adopting UGV technology and is expected to exhibit moderate growth during the forecast period.

List of Key Companies in Unmanned Ground Vehicles Market

Rising Focus on the Development of Robotics Systems to Drive the Competition in the Market

L3 Harris Technologies Inc. is a global industry leader with a market share of 15.6%. Developing advanced solutions through large investments in R&D activities, collaboration and agreement with operators, and providing cost-efficient solutions to the customers led to the company’s success. L3Harris Technologies is a U.S.-based manufacturer of aerospace and defense products, systems, and services.

The company focuses on the design and manufacture of a robotics system. The company designed the T4 robotics system, a versatile, highly mobile Unmanned Ground Vehicle with high strength and all-terrain, all-weather performance. T4 robot has the power and agility to support the most challenging commercial and military missions, such as Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD); Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) detection; and Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) clearance.

Furthermore, IDV, a leading developer and manufacturer of military vehicles, has agreed to become the majority shareholder of MIRA UGV, HORIBA MIRA’s Uncrewed Ground Vehicle division.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED

• BAE Systems (U.K.)


• Aselsan A.S. (Turkey)


• Lockheed Martin Corporation (U.S.)


• General Dynamics Corporation (U.S.)


• L3 Harris Technology, Inc (U.S.)


• Oshkosh Defense LLC (An Oshkosh Corporation Company) (U.S.)


• Rheinmetall AG (Germany)


• Teledyne FLIR LLC. (U.S.)


• QinetiQ (U.K.)


• Northrop Grumman Corporation (U.S.)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

• February 2023: The European Defense announced a capability development project to couple unmanned ground systems with manned military vehicles and air platforms—the program's total value is around USD 26.5 million.


• February 2023: Russia is preparing to bring out Marker unmanned ground vehicles to counter the battle tanks. The Marker is armed with anti-tank missiles.


• May 2022: BAE Systems PLC introduced a Robotic Technology Demonstrator (RTD) built on the lower hull of the M113 armored fighting vehicle. The vehicle was exhibited at the Experimental Demonstration Gateway Exercise 2022 (EDGE22).


• April 2022: Oshkosh Corporation signed a strategic partnership with Robotic Research to invest in Robotic Research to enhance its innovation and autonomy offerings. The new collaboration and joint development agreement will complete Oshkosh’s ongoing work in autonomous vehicles and equipment.


• September 2021: L3Harris Technologies Inc. signed a contract with the U.S. Air Force valued at USD 85 million to provide UGVs to help protect bases. The agreement includes robots, robotics support, maintenance, and training. The 10-year IDIQ contract covers the provision of up to 170 T7 UGVs to replace the existing 20-year-old Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) system.

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REPORT COVERAGE

The research report provides a detailed market analysis and focuses on key aspects such as leading companies, product types, end-users, design, and technology. Besides this, the report offers insights into the market trends and highlights key industry developments. In addition to the factors above, the report encompasses several factors that have contributed to the market growth in recent years.

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