Unmanned ground vehicles or UGVs are usually associated with ground robotic systems i.e. unmanned systems that are built for travelling ground surfaces. Depending on how autonomous systems is (autonomy levels are discussed later) the UGV might be both completely human operator-controlled via remote control link or autonomously operating system. In both border cases, the system itself is unmanned. Due to advantages over human-operated or manned vehicles in different applications domains, UGVs are rather widely used systems. The most common applications are related to domains, where it is convenient to replace human-operator or driver, due to safety reasons or hazardous operating conditions. Some typical applications domains are discussed below:

Military operations: This one of the most desired application domains, where human is a constant danger of being hit by hostile fire as well as being under highly physical conditions and stress. Therefore, remotely operated UGVs are rather commonly used by different armies all over the world. The main challenges being tackled is to remove soldiers from the line of fire i.e. while the soldier is undercover he can use remote control and operate an armoured or armed UGV. Thus, both soldier safety and operational goals are met. Unfortunately, due to the complexity of military operations and due to unstructured environmental conditions, fully autonomous system is yet to come. The majority of the military UGVs are fully remote-controlled, where human-operator is constantly looking after UGVs operation. A good example of military UGV is Milrem system (www.milrem.com) developed jointly by Estonian and Finnish companies, enabling different configurations, modularity and variable control options.

Logistics: In a logistics application, the majority of systems enables automated delivery of good within a limited territory – manufacturing plant or logistics centre. A widely known example is the result of cooperation between Kiva systems and Amazon, which resulted in Amazon robotics (https://www.amazonrobotics.com/#/). While there are several technology providers and still the challenge being tackled is the management of multiple logistic robots at once ensuring harmonized simultaneous operation. However, there are attempts to build outdoor logistic systems so-called last-mile delivery systems. A good example is the Starship system (https://www.starship.xyz/) provided by StarpShip technologies. The Starship solution provides the best of autonomous driving and remote control enabling flexible and relatively safe payload delivery within a limited territory. Currently, the solution is available in the USA and Estonia.

However, to provide the best of the technology some legal prerequisites should be met including changes in road control rules. Another significant change is social acceptance which has to be led by a positive example and real benefits for society.