US Army soldiers drive FireAnt ground robots on a long resupply run in Hawaii

On 8 November in Hawaii, troops of the 25th Division Sustainment Brigade took several of Swarmbotics AI's small FireAnt ground robots on a long-distance movement test, according to a US Army photo release. The Army is trying out autonomous systems to move supplies and wounded troops in the Pacific.

The robots ran on Oahu, at the Marines' Bellows training area, as part of an Accelerated Capability Event organised by the Army's Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate (G-TEAD) with US Army Pacific. Vendors compete in lanes for casualty evacuation, a 4,700-metre resupply run under contested conditions, and operations with GPS denied and signals jammed.

FireAnt is a small, low-cost ground vehicle that works in groups, with one operator controlling several at once. Finalists get $25,000 for entering and $25,000 for taking part, up to five winners receive $150,000 each, and the Army has set aside up to $2 million for follow-on agreements. Systems that do well can stay with units for more testing, with the aim of fielding a capability within 90 days.