The team from the Fraunhofer Institute for Communication, Information Processing and Ergonomics (FKIE), which has been organising ELROB every two years since 2006, had prepared a total of five different scenarios at Switzerland’s oldest and largest military training area. In addition to the two disciplines of reconnaissance and mule transport – for which starting places were highly sought-after – the schedule included convoy operations, the location and rescue of casualties, and the detection and disposal of unexploded ordnance.

Focus on the practical needs of the armed forces

During their preparations, the FKIE scientists received valuable support from the German Army Development Office (AHEntwg) and the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Use of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw), thereby ensuring that the work was closely aligned with the practical needs of the armed forces. Since 2006, the NATO Research Task Group (RTG) 206 has also been contributing an international perspective to the performance comparison: its members meet regularly on site during the event; their findings and standardisation proposals are incorporated into the ELROB regulations.

“It is this unique concept that makes the event so successful, even 20 years after its debut,” says ELROB initiator Dr Frank E. Schneider, deputy head of the FKIE’s “Cognitive Mobile Systems” department. “This is where research and industry, SMEs and start-ups, end-users and suppliers come together to exchange ideas. In this way, we ensure that the event always has its finger on the pulse and addresses the latest developments.”

Participants travel from all over the world

But it is not just the concept that is unique. The international field of participants, who once again travelled to ELROB this year from all over Europe, the USA and Canada, also makes this competition an extraordinary event. In the tent city, the teams work round the clock on their robotic systems, getting them ready for the next task, troubleshooting or talking shop with their colleagues. “ELROB always feels a bit like a big family reunion,” says Schneider. “The competition is part of it – but it’s the open exchange of ideas and the collaboration that make the event what it is.”

Once again this year, the teams’ performances were assessed by an international panel of judges led by robotics expert Prof. Dr Henrik I. Christensen. The jury noted substantial progress in automation and autonomy, with solid approaches to navigation and detection. When it comes to the use of artificial intelligence, however, the systems are “not yet at a stage where they are ready for frontline use”, Schneider concluded. “Overall, we were unable to identify any system that fully meets all the requirements.”

The limitations of automated driving functions remained apparent, particularly in wooded terrain. Many systems experienced significant difficulties, especially in narrow passages or when encountering dynamic obstacles. Schneider emphasises: “Market availability is not the same as the systems’ ability to fully meet all requirements in the scenarios. Whilst the vehicles are mature, no complete system comprising vehicle, software and user interface was able to convincingly overcome all challenges.”

Austria is hosting ELROB 2028

The teams will have another opportunity to demonstrate whether and what progress has been made with robotic systems in 2028: the FKIE team will then be organising the next performance comparison at the impressive Tritolwerk site in Eggendorf. The host on the Austrian side is the Office for Armaments and Defence Technology (ARWT), headed by Brigadier Jürgen Schlechter. Schneider said: “We have already held ELROB there with great success in 2016 and 2022. We are now looking forward to preparing the next edition under the expert guidance of the ARWT.”