Helsing and ARX Robotics Announce Partnership to Develop Advanced AI-Driven Reconnaissance and Strike Systems.
Germany-based defense technology company, Helsing, announced a collaboration with ARX Robotics, a ground autonomy firm, to develop an AI-based reconnaissance and strike network for European defense. The companies indicated they will work together in Ukraine, as well as on projects in the UK, Germany, and additional European countries. “ARX is leading the field in unmanned ground systems,” said Helsing co-CEO Gundbert Scherf in a statement. “By strengthening the land domain together, we are delivering on Helsing’s promise: to protect European democracies through technological superiority.”
ARX Robotics, a German unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) startup established in 2021 by former members of the German Armed Forces, aims to reduce risk for service members. UGVs can undertake high-risk missions, such as medical evacuations, resupply, surveillance, and attacks, in hazardous environments without placing humans in direct danger.
ARX Robotics’ main product is the Gereon UGV, designed for various roles including frontline logistics and surveillance. It has a payload capacity of 500 kg, a top speed of 30 km/h, and a range of 40 km. The Combat Gereon model, launched last month, includes integrated weapons systems. ARX has also created Mithra OS, an operating system that manages both current fleets and legacy systems.
ARX has secured investments from multiple sources. In April, it raised $36.2 million in a Series A round led by HV Capital, Omnes Capital, NATO Innovation Fund, and Project A, followed by a $12.86 million extension in July, totaling $42 million. Its vehicles are in use by six European armed forces, including Germany and the UK, with Germany sending 30 Gereons to Ukraine, primarily for medical evacuation and mine clearance.
The partnership with Helsing follows previous collaborations with other companies, including Quantum Systems (integrating UGVs with aerial systems), UXS Alliance (a coalition of European drone firms), RENK Group (for drivetrain manufacturing), Daimler Truck (to digitize military trucks with Mithra OS), Elistair (combining tethered drones with UGVs for surveillance), Frontline (Ukraine), and Valhalla Turrets (Slovenia).
Helsing has also formed partnerships with organizations such as Rheinmetall (integrating AI into weapons systems), Mistral AI (developing Vision–Language–Action AI models), Airbus (developing the AI-driven “Wingman” system for FCAS), and Saab (which invested €75 million for a 5% stake and incorporated Helsing's AI on its platforms).
According to a joint statement by Helsing and ARX, the objective of their latest partnership is to advance the digitization and networking of the land domain by equipping it with artificial intelligence. They report that this development will allow armed forces to operate more quickly, precisely, efficiently, and at greater distances. Both companies plan to incorporate insights gained from their technologies' deployment in Ukraine.