Teledyne FLIR Defense has unveiled a hand-deployable reconnaissance unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) at a special operations forces conference in Florida, offering a flexible “first-in” solution for dismounted troops.
The 5.7-pound (3-kilogram) robot, dubbed FirstLook 125, delivers live visual, thermal, and audio data while navigating complex terrain.
Its rugged design can survive 16-foot (5-meter) drops, self-right instantly, and maneuver through tight spaces, including stairwells, rubble, and other uneven surfaces using articulated flippers.
The platform is fitted with an enhanced electro-optical/infrared camera, integrated lighting, and two-way audio to support operations in low-light, congested, and high-interference environments.
The robot also uses encrypted, low-latency connectivity to maintain situational awareness and support faster battlefield decision-making.
Promoting Interoperability
FirstLook 125 shares a controller and operational architecture with Teledyne’s proprietary Black Hornet 4 nano-drone, allowing a single operator to manage the ground platform alongside aerial systems without switching equipment.
The company stated that the commonality feature supports rapid transitions between interior and exterior surveillance while maintaining continuous scouting across domains.
“Ruggedness isn’t even a question,” said Tung Ng, vice president for unmanned systems at Teledyne FLIR Defense. “Through repeated throws, hard drops — plus its agility in confined spaces — FirstLook 125 is engineered for reliability when conditions are toughest.”
“Along with our FirstLook 110 robot, the FirstLook family continues to give operators eyes, ears — and confidence — before putting personnel in harm’s way,” he added.
