Industrial VATAG Variant Debuts at CES 2026 in Las Vegas

An industrial variant of the VATAG heavy unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), developed and manufactured by Ukrainian company Ground Systems, was presented at the Consumer Electronics Show 2026 (CES 2026) in Las Vegas. The platform was showcased as part of the Ukrainian Pavilion in the Global Pavilions area, alongside technology solutions from ecosystems around the world.

At CES 2026, VATAG was presented as an autonomous ground platform designed for logistics and engineering missions in complex, hard-to-reach, and potentially hazardous environments. The industrial configuration is designed for scenarios where mobility, autonomy, and the ability to transport substantial payloads are critical to mission execution.

Mobility and Payload Capacity

VATAG is built on an 8×8 wheeled platform designed to provide high mobility across challenging terrain. The vehicle can reach speeds of up to 42 km/h (26 mph) off-road and carry a payload of up to 2 tons (4,409 lb).

The combination of mobility and payload capacity enables the platform to support logistics operations, transport equipment, and perform engineering tasks in environments where conventional human involvement or standard equipment may be limited.

Autonomous Navigation

One of VATAG’s key capabilities is its systematic approach to autonomy. The platform uses machine vision, LiDAR, and sensors for navigation and interaction with its surroundings.

The intelligent navigation and control system enables VATAG to operate in environments without GPS availability, detect and avoid obstacles along its route, and move in “follow” mode to form convoys with minimal operator involvement.

This approach transfers part of the navigation and logistics workload from the human operator to the robotic platform, expanding its potential for deployment in complex environments.

Multi-Channel Communications

To support operations in environments with unstable communications infrastructure, VATAG can use up to four independent protected data transmission channels, including radio channels, 3G/LTE, and satellite communications.

The communication architecture is designed to support the exchange of video, audio, and control signals, providing an important foundation for remote and autonomous operation of the platform.

Industrial Applications

At CES 2026, VATAG was presented not only as a technological development, but also as a platform designed for practical industrial applications.

Potential use cases include mining, forestry, logistics operations in emergency response zones, infrastructure recovery, and other sectors where transportation and engineering tasks must be performed in hazardous or inaccessible environments.

Participation in CES 2026 enabled VATAG to be presented to an international audience of industrial partners, integrators, and potential customers interested in robotic solutions for operation in complex environments.

The presentation of VATAG as part of the Ukrainian Pavilion also provided an opportunity to demonstrate Ukrainian expertise in developing heavy unmanned ground platforms and establish new contacts for the technology’s further development in international markets.

The Ukrainian Pavilion at CES 2026 is organized by DroneUA in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Startup Fund, with the support of the Consulate General of Ukraine in San Francisco, the U.S. Commercial Service in Ukraine, and the Ukraine–Moldova American Enterprise Fund.