German firm ARX Robotics has pulled the wraps off its Combat Gereon unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), a system designed around the idea of “first unmanned contact,” or sending robots into dangerous missions before soldiers.
The vehicle builds on the company’s existing Gereon RCS platform but is reworked into a combat-ready variant with AI integration.
At its core is the Mithra operating system, built to connect fleets of machines, roll out updates with minimal disruption, and allow the platform to adapt across missions.
The UGV can take on reconnaissance, route clearance, and forward observation missions, stepping into contested areas ahead of troops to shield them from unnecessary risk.
ARX developed the Combat Gereon with Ukrainian firm Frontline and Slovakia’s Valhalla Turrets, aiming to build a system that absorbs lessons from modern battlefields.
What It Can Do
The Gereon platform is engineered to carry payloads of up to 500 kilograms (1,102 pounds) and switch between roles, from carrying supplies to evacuating casualties and acting as a surveillance node.
It can also serve as a dummy in training simulations.
Its autonomous functions allow it to clear obstacles and transport heavy gear to high-risk zones, reducing the risk for soldiers who would otherwise be exposed.
While many UGVs now come with AI assistance, ARX argues that the Combat Gereon’s mix of modular design, fleet connectivity, and combat-focused upgrades positions it as an “adaptable and reliable” solution for defense or commercial environments.
“Combat Gereon represents the next step in our mission to protect soldiers and enhance Europe’s defence resilience,” stated ARX Robotics Chief Executive Officer Marc Wietfield.
Set to Hit the Spotlight
The Combat Gereon will make its first public appearance at the Defense and Security Equipment International (DSEI) 2025 convention in London this September.
The company said the unveiling ties into a larger mission: “to modernize and robotize Europe’s land forces at scale, transforming legacy fleets into autonomous, connected systems that can fight, support, and survive in the grey zone.”
