The Research and Development Establishment (Engineers) [R&DE(E)], a premier DRDO lab in Pune, is spearheading the development of a humanoid robot tailored for military applications. The robot is engineered to operate under direct human command, allowing it to perform complex tasks in hazardous environments where sending human troops would be perilous.
The primary goal is to minimize the need for soldiers to physically enter dangerous zones, such as conflict frontlines, minefields, or areas with explosives. The robot is being designed to walk like a human, navigate rough terrain (including forests and rocky landscapes), and execute commands with high precision.
The robot’s legs are engineered for bipedal locomotion, allowing it to traverse challenging and unstructured terrain-essential for real-world military scenarios. The humanoid upper body is equipped with lightweight, articulated arms capable of gripping, turning, pushing, pulling, sliding doors, and operating valves. It can also handle hazardous objects like mines and explosives, both indoors and outdoors, day and night. The robot is designed to receive and process operator commands, ensuring that human oversight remains central to its operations. The system uses actuators (robotic “muscles”), advanced sensors for situational awareness, and sophisticated control algorithms for real-time decision-making and balance. Separate prototypes for the upper and lower body have already been developed and successfully tested internally. The robot was recently showcased at the National Workshop on Advanced Legged Robotics in Pune, marking the first public demonstration of its kind in India.
The DRDO team has been working on the humanoid robot for over four years, with significant progress in both design and functionality. The project aims for completion and deployment by 2027, after which these robots are expected to join the Indian Army’s operational ranks.
Former DRDO chairman G Satheesh Reddy has emphasized the ambition to position India as a global leader in robotic soldiers, with ongoing research into collaborative multi-robot operations, swarm robotics, and bio-inspired designs.
Once operational, these humanoid robots will serve as a force multiplier for the Indian Armed Forces, enabling safer and more effective missions in high-risk areas. The project reflects India’s commitment to integrating advanced artificial intelligence, robotics, and material science into its defense infrastructure, keeping pace with global military innovation. Beyond combat, the robots could be used for disaster response, hazardous material handling, and other critical missions requiring human-like dexterity and decision-making in dangerous settings.