The updated Letter of Intent (LOI) grants the company exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialise a patented unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) designed for both autonomous and remote operations.
An unmanned ground vehicle is a land-based robotic system that operates without an onboard human, relying on remote control or autonomous navigation.
These systems are increasingly used in security surveillance, military operations, hazardous environments, and material handling.
AI is reshaping unmanned ground vehicle capabilities
Artificial intelligence is playing a central role in the evolution of unmanned ground vehicle systems, particularly in defence applications. Systems that once focused on passive monitoring are now being developed as active, responsive platforms.
Advances in AI are enabling sensor fusion, real-time target recognition, and autonomous response capabilities.
This is becoming increasingly relevant as drone swarms and high-speed aerial threats drive demand for faster, more adaptive ground-based support systems.
Hybrid-powered UGV designed for all terrain
The UGV under development will use a hybrid energy system combining solar, battery, and hydrogen fuel cell technology. This configuration is intended to provide extended runtime, low noise operation, and zero-emission performance.
The platform will be built on a modular chassis designed to operate across varied terrain. A key feature is its eight articulated semi-robotic legs with integrated wheel assemblies.
This hybrid leg-wheel design allows the vehicle to move efficiently on smooth surfaces while maintaining stability and traction on uneven ground.
In practice, it bridges the gap between traditional wheeled systems and fully legged robots, which often struggle outside controlled environments.
Rising demand for unmanned ground vehicle services
Growth in the UGV market is closely tied to the expansion of drone-based service models. Drones as a Service (DaaS) allows organisations to access robotic systems, software, and operational support without the upfront cost of ownership.
This approach is gaining traction across sectors, including agriculture, defence, construction, and infrastructure monitoring.
According to Precedence Research, the global drone services market is currently valued at $20.2bn and is projected to reach $142.2bn by 2035, growing at a compound annual rate of 24.04%.
At the same time, global defence spending now exceeds $2 trillion annually, further supporting investment in unmanned ground vehicle platforms for logistics, inspection, and high-risk operations.
Modular platform supports a wide range of use cases
Mounted above the robotic chassis is a modular cargo platform designed for flexibility. The system can be configured for different roles, from acting as a drone launch and refuelling station to transporting equipment, tools, or emergency supplies.
The unmanned ground vehicle is intended to serve as a mobile robotic assistant across a range of environments, including military operations, campus security, construction sites, and last-mile delivery. Its adaptability enables it to perform both routine and mission-critical tasks.
Flexible operation reduces labour demands
The platform is expected to support autonomous navigation, remote control, and user-follow modes.
This flexibility allows operators to deploy the unmanned ground vehicle in a way that suits the task at hand, whether that involves predefined routes or real-time control.
By combining mobility with cargo capability, the system is designed to reduce manual labour and improve efficiency, particularly in environments where materials need to be moved frequently over uneven terrain.
It also opens up opportunities for use in academic research, industrial automation, defence programs, and autonomous navigation testing.
Path to commercialisation and intellectual property ownership
Under the agreement, First Hydrogen will advance the UGV toward commercialisation within a two-year development period. If this milestone is achieved, the company will secure exclusive global rights for the remaining life of the patent.
First Hydrogen will fund all development costs and will retain full ownership of any intellectual property created during the process, including software, designs, and technical know-how.
A 1% royalty on gross sales will be payable on products that incorporate the original UGV patent.