The core idea behind the Badb project is that UAVs and UGVs need to be able to operate with a higher degree of autonomy - less reliant on receiving external signals from satellites (GNSS/GPS) and human operators, and with less need to transmit, making it easier for them survive in contested spaces. The human operator retains authority over objectives, but the machine needs to acquire a capacity for perception and navigation, and to make small tactical decisions on how best to meet the...

As spring 2026 is over, the Badb project is successfully moving into its second year, with an increasing focus on integrating its different components. Recently, we met near Helsinki for a joint integration session and field tests to ensure we remain on track in developing our GNSS-free navigation system. The data we collected and the ideas we exchanged during these field tests and face-to-face meetings provide a solid foundation for the next phase of the project, where we further improve...

Localising a modern field or service robot should be an easy task in peaceful times. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Operating near Russia's borders makes satellite positioning unreliable. Expensive exteroceptive sensors, such as top-tier 3D LiDARs, are also off the table – “thanks” again to our eastern neighbours. Yet autonomous mobile robots still need to handle logistics, evacuation, and threat mitigation, requiring a different approach. Future military Uncrewed Ground Vehicles...