RGB White Light
GPS
360 Degree Pana/Thermal
32 Channel LIDAR
LIFEO4 - Hot Swap
The Gridbots ZEUS is a high-payload Autonomous Combat UGV built as India's flagship 4x4 UGV for Battlefields. This wheeled unmanned ground vehicle delivers 1500 kg payload capacity, 20 km mesh-radio range, and 12-hour operational endurance — performing surveillance, casualty evacuation, ammunition resupply, RCWS-armed engagement, and force-multiplication across cross-country, hilly, desert, and urban combat terrain.
ZEUS exhibits a high level of autonomy and self-exploration capability — using 32-channel LiDAR, vision-LiDAR hybrid SLAM, and onboard NVIDIA GPU compute to find its own path, classify threats, and navigate to designated waypoints without operator intervention. The platform supports manual tele-operation, full autonomy, and assisted modes.
The combat UGV is designed to operate in swarms, with automatic person/leader following, auto target lock, and shoot-and-scoot tactical behavior. Multiple ZEUS units coordinate over a 5.8 GHz encrypted mesh network, supporting modern Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) doctrines for the Indian Army, paramilitary forces, and allied combat units.
Through its RCWS (Remote Controlled Weapon Station) module, ZEUS-Hitman variants engage targets with 12.7mm heavy machine guns, automatic grenade launchers, and Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM). Integrated EOIR camera pods detect and identify targets up to 10 km, enabling the gunner-operator to fight from a fully protected rear position.
Built under Make-in-India and Atmanirbhar Bharat defence-procurement initiatives, the ZEUS is fielded as a multi-mission combat UGV platform: ZEUS-Hitman (RCWS armed), ZEUS-MineSweeper (route clearance / earthworks), and ZEUS-Observer (elevated surveillance and comms relay).
Key performance metrics for the ZEUS Autonomous Combat UGV / RCWS UGV / 4x4 Battlefield Platform.
Three mission-tailored variants of the ZEUS 4x4 Combat UGV platform — each engineered to extend force capabilities on the modern battlefield.
RCWS Combat
RCWS-Armed Combat UGV
ZEUS HITMAN is the autonomous / manual armed variant of the ground vehicle, used to remotely track and engage targets on the battlefield as a true RCWS UGV.
Mounts a stabilized Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS) carrying up to 12.7 mm heavy machine gun, automatic grenade launcher, or ATGM launcher.
EOIR camera pods detect and identify targets at ranges up to 10 km, with operator-in-the-loop fire control and full safety interlocks.
Engineering
Route Clearance & Earthworks UGV
ZEUS MineSweeper carries an attachment mounted on the ZEUS chassis to dig trenches, clear roadblocks, and remove obstacles from a safe standoff distance in manual or autonomous mode.
Indispensable for armed units operating at high altitude where snow-clearance and route-opening is a daily requirement.
Bucket reaches out to 2.5 m with payload up to 100 kg — supporting combat-engineer missions.
ISR & Relay
Surveillance & Comms Relay UGV
ZEUS Observer is an indispensable battlefield ISR unit, monitoring activities from an elevated mast height of 30 ft at ranges up to 10 km.
Carries data-relay modems that extend wireless mesh range across hilly terrain and dense urban canyons — multiplying the comms footprint of forward forces.
Acts as a forward forward-observer node in MUM-T formations, feeding situational awareness to the command post.
ZEUS is engineered for the full breadth of modern Combat UGV mission sets — from logistics and reconnaissance through direct kinetic engagement with its RCWS module. Modular payloads allow a single platform to serve a battalion's combat support requirements.
Stabilized weapon station fires 12.7mm HMG, AGL, or ATGM under operator control. Auto-target-lock with ballistic compute. Shoot-and-scoot mobility prevents counter-fire.
1500 kg payload moves ammunition, water, rations, and spares to forward sections without exposing soldiers to enemy fire on contested supply routes.
Litter-mounted variant evacuates wounded under fire. Autonomous return-to-base with onboard medical telemetry to the regimental aid post.
360° panoramic + thermal imaging plus EOIR pods detect contacts at 10 km. Real-time encrypted video feed to operator and command nodes.
Multi-ZEUS swarm coordinates over 5.8 GHz mesh, executing flanking, suppression, and screen formations under shared autonomy.
Follow-Me mode keeps ZEUS in formation with infantry, MICVs, or armoured columns, providing mobile RCWS and sensor coverage.
GPR + bucket attachment locates and removes IEDs, mines, and obstacles from convoy routes — keeping engineers out of the kill zone.
Autonomous waypoint patrols of LoC, LAC, and base perimeters with deep-learning intruder classification and silent observation modes.
Observer variant carries elevated mast and mesh-radio relay, extending comms across mountainous terrain and dense urban environments.
Every subsystem of the ZEUS Autonomous Combat UGV is engineered for the demands of contested battlefield operation — encrypted comms, redundant sensors, and modular RCWS-ready architecture.
Long Endurance
Automatic Target Tracking
2-Way Audio Communication
Fully Autonomous Navigation
3D Path Navigation
Follow Me
IP 65 Weather Proof
360° Panoramic View
Thermal Sight
Bench-test and field-trial benchmarks of the ZEUS 4x4 Combat UGV against the global combat-UGV class. Mobility, endurance, and engagement-range data derived from manufacturer testing aligned with NATO STANAG 4569 mobility profiles.
ZEUS delivers 2.5x the comms range of the combat-UGV class average — sustaining MUM-T integrity over deep battlefields.
12-hour combat endurance enables full-day patrols with hot-swap LiFePO4 batteries restoring fight-ready state in < 2 minutes.
4x4 wheeled drivetrain delivers a balanced mobility envelope — no terrain weakness across mission spectrum from Ladakh to Rajasthan.
Modular RCWS supports a layered engagement envelope from suppressive 7.62mm out to 4 km ATGM — inside a 10 km EOIR sensor bubble.
Complete technical datasheet for the Gridbots ZEUS Autonomous Combat UGV / RCWS UGV / 4x4 Battlefield Platform.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Model Series | GB-ZEUS (variants: Hitman, MineSweeper, Observer) |
| Platform Class | Autonomous Combat UGV / RCWS UGV / 4x4 Battlefield UGV |
| Country of Origin | India (Make in India / Atmanirbhar Bharat) |
| Payload Capacity | 1500 kg |
| Runtime | 12 hours (mission profile dependent) |
| Range | 20 km [Encrypted Mesh-Radio] |
| Drive | 1 kW per axle (4WD configuration) |
| View | 360° Panoramic + Thermal |
| Maximum Speed | 15 km/h |
| Video Channels | 8 |
| Communications | 5.8 GHz Encrypted Mesh |
| Control Modes | Manual / Autonomous / Follow-Me / Swarm |
| Video Analytics | Deep-learning based, onboard |
| Onboard Analytics | Yes (NVIDIA GPU) |
| Drive Torque | 200 N-m |
| Gradability | 45 degrees |
| Mobility Mode | All-Terrain (cross-country, hilly, desert, urban) |
| Perception | 32-Channel LiDAR + Vision-LiDAR Hybrid SLAM |
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 2300 × 1900 × 1300 mm [L × B × H] |
| Vehicle Weight | 750 kg (kerb) |
| Drivetrain | 4×4 (all-wheel drive) |
| Suspension | Passive heavy-duty |
| Ground Clearance | 100 mm |
| Material of Construction | Chromium Steel |
| Paint / Coating | Powder Coating with optional camo finish (DPM, desert, snow) |
| Run-Flat Tyres | Optional (for combat variants) |
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Battery Charging | Auto (intelligent BMS) |
| Battery Swap | Optional — hot-swap field replacement |
| Battery Chemistry | LiFePO4 — Hot-Swap modular pack |
| Fuses | All Power Sockets |
| Charging Time | 3 hours (full) |
| Hot-Swap Time | < 2 minutes |
| Auxiliary Power | External generator interface (silent watch) |
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| TOF Sensors | 4× |
| 3D Cameras | 2× |
| Bumpers | Front + Rear |
| Safety LiDAR | 2× [SICK or equivalent] |
| E-Stop | 2× |
| Impact Sensor | 1× |
| Sensor Suite | GAS / THERMAL / 3D / GPR |
| RCWS Safety | Two-man rule, mechanical safe, electronic interlocks, geo-fencing |
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Navigation | Fully Autonomous [Vision + 3D LiDAR Hybrid SLAM] |
| Location Accuracy | 20 mm [in 100 × 100 m mapped area] |
| Traffic Controller | Optional package |
| Docking Accuracy | 15 mm |
| Docking Sensor | Laser |
| SLAM Mode | Visual + Natural Features |
| Autonomy Levels | Manual / Tele-op / Assisted / Full Auto / Swarm |
| Swarm Coordination | Mesh peer-to-peer with shared world model |
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| IP Rating | IP65 — dust-tight, water-jet protected |
| Operating Temperature | 0 – 60 °C (extended-range pack: −20 to +60 °C) |
| Humidity | 95 % non-condensing |
| EMI / EMC | MIL-STD-461F compliant (defence variants) |
| Shock & Vibration | MIL-STD-810G profiles |
| Altitude | Up to 5,500 m (high-altitude pack) |
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Onboard Computer | Multi-Processor Batch (rugged) |
| GPU | NVIDIA-class GPU for vision & deep learning |
| Off-Board Console | i7-Intel ruggedized GCS |
| Auxiliary Controller | ARM 32-bit safety MCU |
| Onboard Storage | Tactical SSD with encrypted partition |
| Cyber Security | AES-256 link encryption, secure boot, signed firmware |
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Mount Type | Stabilized Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS) |
| Primary Weapon Options | 12.7 mm HMG / 7.62 mm GPMG / 5.56 mm |
| Secondary Weapon | 40 mm Automatic Grenade Launcher (AGL) |
| Anti-Armour | ATGM launcher (configurable) |
| Stabilization | 2-axis gyro-stabilized |
| Elevation | −10° to +60° |
| Traverse | 360° continuous |
| Slew Rate | 60° / sec |
| Fire Control | Ballistic compute, auto target lock, lead prediction |
| EOIR Pod | Day camera + cooled thermal imager + laser range finder |
| Target Detection | Up to 10 km (vehicle); 5 km (personnel) |
| Operator-in-the-Loop | Mandatory for all engagements (ethical AI design) |
Gridbots ZEUS Autonomous Combat UGV in field demonstration and trial scenarios.
See the ZEUS Combat UGV in operation.
CAD reference views of the ZEUS 4x4 Combat UGV — chassis dimensions and sensor envelope.
Common questions about Autonomous Combat UGVs, RCWS UGVs, and 4x4 Battlefield UGVs — and how the Gridbots ZEUS addresses them.
An Autonomous Combat UGV (Unmanned Ground Vehicle) is a military robot capable of self-navigating the battlefield to perform combat, surveillance, logistics, and force-multiplication tasks without a human onboard. The Gridbots ZEUS combines 32-channel LiDAR, vision-LiDAR hybrid SLAM, and onboard NVIDIA GPU compute to operate in autonomous, follow-me, swarm, and tele-operated modes — keeping soldiers off the most dangerous parts of the battlefield.
An RCWS UGV is an Unmanned Ground Vehicle equipped with a Remote Controlled Weapon Station — a stabilized, gyro-corrected weapon turret operated by a human gunner from a protected position. The ZEUS-Hitman variant supports a stabilized RCWS carrying 12.7mm heavy machine guns, 7.62mm GPMGs, 40mm automatic grenade launchers, or ATGM launchers, with EOIR pods detecting threats up to 10 km away.
The Gridbots ZEUS is a true 4×4 wheeled battlefield UGV — all four wheels are independently driven through 200 N-m torque motors, delivering 45° gradability, 100 mm ground clearance, and a chromium-steel chassis rated for cross-country, hilly, desert, and urban terrain. The 4x4 wheeled architecture provides higher road speed and lower acoustic signature than tracked platforms, while still managing rough off-road conditions.
ZEUS operates over a 20 km encrypted 5.8 GHz mesh-radio link. The range extends further when multiple ZEUS units form a relay mesh, or when paired with the ZEUS-Observer variant whose elevated 30 ft mast carries data-relay modems. Onboard EOIR sensors detect targets up to 10 km away.
The ZEUS runs up to 12 hours on a single charge of its LiFePO4 hot-swap battery pack, with full recharge in 3 hours. Hot-swap field replacement restores fight-ready state in under 2 minutes — enabling continuous 24×7 operations through battery rotation. Standby endurance reaches 14 hours.
The ZEUS-Hitman RCWS is configurable. Primary weapon options include the 12.7 mm heavy machine gun (M2 / NSV / .50 cal class), 7.62 mm GPMGs (PKT, MAG, M240), and 5.56 mm SAWs. Secondary armament includes a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher. For anti-armour roles, an ATGM launcher can be integrated, providing 4 km hard-kill capability.
Yes — ZEUS is built for swarm operations and Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T). Multiple units coordinate over a peer-to-peer mesh network with a shared world model, executing flanking, suppression, screening, and reconnaissance tasks autonomously while human operators retain decision-level control on lethal engagement.
ZEUS is designed, integrated, and supported by Gridbots Technologies Private Limited, headquartered in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. The company manufactures the platform under Make-in-India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, offering full IPR transfer and source-code escrow for defence procurement.
Yes. With the high-altitude package, the ZEUS operates up to 5,500 m elevation — covering Indian Army deployments at Siachen, Ladakh, and Arunachal Pradesh forward posts. The MineSweeper variant is particularly valuable in these regions for snow-clearance and obstacle removal.
ZEUS implements AES-256 link encryption, frequency hopping, secure boot, signed firmware, and tactical-SSD encrypted storage. Critical autonomy functions remain operational even if the radio link is jammed (failsafe return-to-base). MIL-STD-461F EMI/EMC compliance ensures performance against intentional electromagnetic interference.
Speak to a Gridbots solutions engineer about evaluation units, customization, RCWS integration, or full programme procurement of the Autonomous Combat UGV / 4x4 Battlefield UGV platform for your force.
GET A QUOTE CONTACT US