TLDR: India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is actively developing humanoid robots for deployment in frontline military missions, aiming to significantly reduce risks for human troops. A prototype was publicly showcased in May 2025, demonstrating bipedal locomotion and articulated upper limbs. The project, led by the Research and Development Establishment (Engineers) in Pune, focuses on creating robots capable of complex autonomous operations in hazardous environments.
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is making significant strides in military robotics with the ongoing development of advanced humanoid robots designed for critical frontline missions. This ambitious project aims to minimize human exposure to high-risk environments, thereby enhancing troop safety and operational efficiency. The initiative is spearheaded by the Research and Development Establishment (Engineers) in Pune, a key laboratory under the DRDO.
In May 2025, the DRDO publicly unveiled a prototype of its humanoid robot during the National Workshop on Advanced Legged Robotics (NWALR-2025) held in Pune. This marked the first public demonstration of India’s foray into military humanoid robotics. During the showcase, the robot reportedly exhibited bipedal locomotion, allowing it to walk on two legs like a human, and articulated upper limbs capable of gripping and manipulating objects. The demonstration also highlighted the robot’s stability and balance control, crucial for navigating challenging and uneven terrains. While comprehensive specifications were not fully disclosed at the workshop, the brief display confirmed the DRDO’s progress in designing robots for future battlefield conditions.
The humanoid robot is being engineered for a wide array of complex military and hazardous tasks. Its mobility features include bipedal locomotion with advanced balance recovery, path planning, and Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) for autonomous navigation. For manipulation, the robot is equipped with two multi-joint arms, boasting approximately 24 degrees of freedom. These articulated hands are designed to perform intricate actions such as gripping, turning valves, and moving obstacles. The upper body features lightweight arms with a spherical revolute joint configuration, offering 7 degrees of freedom in each arm, 4 in the gripper, and 2 in the head.
Equipped with an array of sensors, including cameras, Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), and other exteroceptive sensors, the robot feeds real-time environmental inputs into an advanced onboard computer system. This system is designed to interpret operator commands and environmental data in real-time, enabling seamless operation day or night, indoors or outdoors. The robot will also incorporate proprioceptive sensors, data fusion capabilities, tactical sensing, and audio-visual perception.
Scientists involved in the project have indicated that the humanoid biped will include features such as fall and push recovery, real-time map generation, and autonomous navigation. It will be capable of performing complex autonomous tasks with closed-loop gripping and manipulating objects by turning, pushing, pulling, sliding doors, opening valves, and overcoming obstacles, particularly in high-risk environments. Both arms are designed to work collaboratively to safely handle hazardous materials such as mines, explosives, and liquids.
Also Read:
- India’s Defence Startups Propel Nation Towards Global Self-Reliance and Innovation
- Autonomous AI Agents Poised for Widespread Launch by End of 2025, Reshaping Industries
S.E. Talole, Group Director at the Centre for Systems and Technologies for Advanced Robotics within the R&DE (Engineers), stated that the team has been engaged in this project for four years. He mentioned that separate prototypes for the upper and lower body have been developed, and certain functions have been successfully achieved during internal trials. The humanoid is also being designed to function effectively on tough terrains, including jungles. Currently in its advanced development phase, the team is concentrating on refining the robot’s ability to comprehend and execute operator commands.
