TAROS is an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) designed for use in environments where human presence may be risky – for example, in crisis situations, in the protection of critical infrastructure, or in defence applications.
“TAROS builds on the long-term development of autonomous robotic systems with the aim of verifying their operation outside laboratory conditions. The ability to move and make decisions in a changing environment with limited availability of navigation or communication systems is crucial,” says Prof. Jan Faigl, head of the Computational Robotics Laboratory (CRL) at the Department of Computers, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, CTU.
From experiment to real-world deployment
The TAROS platform is being developed by the state-owned enterprise VOP CZ, which is responsible for its development and production. At the Faculty of Electrical Engineering (FEL) of the Czech Technical University in Prague, it is used for research in the field of autonomous control, navigation and decision-making algorithms. The platform’s development has gone through several generations – from experimental prototypes to the current variants intended for further testing and development. Older versions were tested in the context of defence applications, for example within projects carried out by the CRL research laboratory for NATO STO or the Czech Ministry of Defence.
“VOP CZ has been developing the TAROS robotic system for more than ten
years and we have been constantly innovating and improving it throughout. Our collaboration with
CTU in the field of testing autonomous capabilities and scenarios is
very stimulating for us, as we gain insights for further innovation and
from the academic sphere,” said VOP CZ Director Vlastimil Navrátil.
“VOP CZ has a track record of high-quality development of chassis platforms and mechanical systems. Our aim is to further develop these robust platforms towards a higher degree of autonomy and independent decision-making capabilities,” adds Faigl from the Centre for Artificial Intelligence.
Unmanned ground systems are developing rapidly across Europe and are gradually moving from testing to real-world deployment. Taros demonstrates that Czech research and industry are keeping pace in this area.
Autonomy as a key capability
An important direction in the development of the TAROS platform is autonomy. The vehicle is designed for off-road movement, route planning and task execution with minimal need for operator intervention. At the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, CTU, methods of perception, decision-making and control are being developed in this area.
“It is not just about the vehicle itself, but about the entire system of perception, decision-making and control. We are working towards a platform capable of performing tasks with minimal human intervention,” says Prof. Jan Faigl.
Research with an impact on safety
The FEL CTU’s activities related to the TAROS platform form part of the faculty’s broader focus on technologies for defence, security and dual-use applications.
“At the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, we have long been developing technologies that have a real-world impact – whether in the security sector, industry or the civilian sector. TAROS is an example of how cutting-edge research can be linked to specific practical needs,” concludes Prof. Jan Faigl.
Taros 6×6: a modular platform for a wide range of missions
The current TAROS 6×6 model was unveiled at Defence Research Day, one of two variants of the latest generation (alongside the 4×4 configuration). The platform is designed as a multi-purpose vehicle that can be adapted to specific missions.
Thanks to its modular design, the TAROS can perform, for example:
- reconnaissance and surveillance tasks,
- logistical operations in the field (e.g. supplying units),
- evacuation of the wounded (MEDEVAC/CASEVAC scenarios),
- support for security and rescue services.
The configuration depends on the specific superstructure – ranging from a transport module to specialised systems.
- Key features of the Taros 6×6
- high off-road mobility, including fording capability,
- advanced autonomous driving and navigation,
- water-resistant design,
- modularity – option for a wide range of superstructures,
- 4 electric motors (wheel drive),
- 48V architecture,
- 4 driving modes (steering) for different types of terrain,
- hydraulic mounting points for equipment integration.
Selected specifications:
- payload: up to 1,000 kg,
- towing capacity: 750 kg,
- maximum speed: 10 to 15 km/h depending on the terrain
Photo Credit: Petr Neugebauer
