Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) may sometimes be overshadowed by aerial drones in the public eye, yet they are already widely used. Applications range from military and security forces to complex and expansive industrial environments. To ensure UGVs can be operated effectively, they require drive systems that are both robust and precise—such as those developed and manufactured by TQ-Systems, based in Seefeld, Upper Bavaria.
Whether under combat conditions, in contaminated zones, or for the recovery and transport of hazardous and explosive materials—unmanned ground systems are a welcome solution in many operational scenarios. UGVs come in various forms, including tracked, wheeled, and legged robots like Boston Dynamics’ well-known “dog,” Spot. One of the world’s leading UGV providers is located in Ostfildern, near Stuttgart. Founded in 1994, Telerob Gesellschaft für Fernhantierungstechnik mbH has earned a global reputation for its innovative solutions. In 2021, the company was acquired by U.S.-based AeroVironment. Nevertheless, even under American ownership, the Telemax series of UGVs from Telerob still relies on drive technology “Made in Germany.”
A DLR Spin-Off
This technology originates about 200 kilometers southeast of Ostfildern—in the peaceful town of Seefeld, in the Starnberg district of Bavaria. Here, TQ-Systems offers its TQ-RoboDrive product line, which it describes as “robotic drive systems with market-leading torque density, maximum precision, and the highest level of design flexibility.” The technology was originally developed at the Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics of the German Aerospace Center (DLR). Researchers there succeeded in designing a servo motor that delivers exceptionally high torque and power density relative to its weight and size. This innovation was later commercialized under the name TQ-RoboDrive and has for years powered Telerob’s unmanned ground vehicles.
These vehicles are in use around the world by police and military units, as well as in industrial and research settings. They are often custom-adapted to meet specific mission profiles, such as Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), the handling and transport of hazardous materials (HAZMAT), and the detection of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats (CBRN).
EOD Missions
“TQ’s RoboDrive motors offer a high torque density, making our EOD robots particularly powerful and compact,” explains Tobias Waibel, Product Manager at Telerob. “The frameless motors from TQ enable our precision manipulators to lift heavier loads due to their excellent force-to-weight ratio. Their high efficiency also extends battery life, allowing for longer missions. With precise motion control, even delicate tasks can be performed safely. In addition, the motors are extremely robust and function flawlessly in extreme environments, making them ideal for demanding EOD operations.”
> This article was created in cooperation with Drones, the magazine for the drone economy: www.drones-magazin.de
