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UGV and Ground Robotics Glossary

Precise definitions prevent confusion between function, technology, readiness and marketing claims.

UGV means unmanned ground vehicle: a ground platform without a person onboard. Unmanned does not necessarily mean autonomous; the system may be remotely controlled, include defined automated functions or combine modes.

Mission context

ISR means intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; payload is the mission equipment; ICD means interface control document; configuration control manages product versions; recovery retrieves damaged or immobilised equipment.

Engineering approach

HARDY uses functional definitions: name the specific route, control or sensing function and its conditions rather than make a broad “fully autonomous” claim.

What must be demonstrated

A term becomes technically useful when it has context.

  • what the system performs;
  • under which conditions and configuration;
  • how the function was tested and where it stops.

Next step

Send a question if a term should be added.

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