Business · Companies · 1 hr ago
Ukraine completes combat trials of airless wheels for ground robots
Ukrainian developers have completed combat trials of airless wheels for unmanned ground robots.
The project involves Print&Live UA, iSCALE 3D and participating specialists.
The wheels do not need air pressure, so punctures or pressure loss cannot leave them unsupported in the way conventional tyres can.
This matters because battlefield debris, blasts and difficult ground can immobilize robots, and recovering them may expose people to hostile fire.
A wheel set weighs 32 to 56 kilograms, compared with 88 to 144 kilograms for the foreign airless alternatives cited by the company; conventional tyre sets can be lighter.
Print&Live estimates the design could extend robots' operating distance by up to 30% compared with those alternatives.
Limited production is under way for combat units, but sustained use in varied battlefield conditions will be needed to establish how well the wheels perform.
Ukrainian developers have completed field evaluations and combat trials of airless wheels for unmanned ground vehicles.
The wheels are designed to keep robotic platforms moving after damage that could disable conventional tyres.
The project involves Print&Live UA, iSCALE 3D and participating specialists.
The wheel sets weigh between 32 and 56 kilograms, while cited foreign airless alternatives weigh 88 to 144 kilograms.
Production is underway in limited quantities for subsequent delivery to combat units.
- Who
- Print&Live UA, iSCALE 3D and participating specialists developed the wheels.
- What
- They completed field evaluations and combat trials of airless wheels for unmanned ground vehicles.
- When
- The trials were completed by the time the article was published on 2026-10-14.
- Where
- Ukraine; specific trial locations are not stated.
- Why
- The wheels are intended to help ground robots remain mobile despite battlefield damage and avoid reliance on tyre inflation.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The project passed its research and development phase.
Developers completed field evaluations and combat trials of the wheel designs.
Production is taking place in limited quantities for subsequent delivery to combat units.
- Project participants
- Print&Live UA, iSCALE 3D and participating specialists
- Wheel-set weight
- 32 to 56 kg
- Cited foreign airless alternatives
- 88 to 144 kg
- Estimated operating-distance increase
- Up to 30% compared with foreign alternatives, according to Print&Live
- Reported complete-set cost
- Approximately €680