The “buddy” approach is more attractive to militaries than all robots because it combines the advantages of robotics with something machines still struggle to provide: human judgment.

By Hezy Laing

Much of the military robotics world is racing toward greater autonomy—machines that can do more and more without human help. Israeli company General Robotics is taking a different path. Its robots aren’t meant to replace soldiers. They’re meant to go into danger before them.

Small enough for a soldier to carry but armed with cameras, sensors and even a pistol, Israel’s battlefield robots are built around one simple idea: send the robot into danger first.

That philosophy comes from a personal place. The company’s founder, Col. (res.) Ehud Gal, began developing these systems after his son‑in‑law was wounded while serving in the Special Forces. His goal was straightforward: create machines that enter the most dangerous spaces so soldiers don’t have to.

General Robotics says its systems are now in use with special‑operations units around the world.

DOGO: The Robot That Goes Through the Door First

Imagine a soldier approaching a building where an armed terrorist may be hiding. Instead of being the first through the door, he can place DOGO on the ground and send it inside.

The 11‑kilogram tracked robot can climb stairs, maneuver around obstacles and operate in tight indoor spaces. Eight cameras give the operator a full 360‑degree view, while microphones and speakers let troops hear and communicate with whoever is inside.

And DOGO isn’t limited to looking around. It can fight back.

The robot can carry a 9mm Glock 26, controlled remotely through the company’s touchscreen “Point & Shoot” interface. Non‑lethal options exist too, but the core idea is the same: the robot confronts the threat before the soldier does.

Other Robots in the Family

DOGO isn’t alone.

• CHAMELEON can be thrown into dangerous areas and even climb metal surfaces while streaming live video.
• AIBALL is a tiny surveillance robot that troops can send into a room or hallway before entering.
• PITBULL takes the concept to larger platforms, combining remote operation with a stabilized weapon station.

Different shapes, different missions—but the same principle: give soldiers robotic help at the exact moment danger is highest.

Why the Buddy Concept Matters

The key to General Robotics’ approach is that the robot stays a partner, not a replacement.

That’s especially important in urban combat. A camera may spot a person inside a building, but deciding whether that person is an enemy, civilian, hostage or wounded soldier often requires human judgment.

The robot gives the soldier eyes inside the danger zone while the soldier remains responsible for what happens next.

It also addresses one of the biggest concerns surrounding armed robots: who decides when to use force?

With systems like DOGO, that decision stays with the human operator.

Robots handle the risk. Humans handle the judgment.

The Bionic Buddy

General Robotics isn’t trying to build autonomous killers or futuristic robot squads.

It’s trying to give soldiers a bionic buddy—a machine that goes around the corner, through the door or into the tunnel first, while the soldier stays safely behind and in control.

“Risk the robot, not the soldier” isn’t just a slogan. It’s the entire design philosophy.