Autonomous Navigation Robot for Military Applications

Abstract— The increasing need for safer battlefield monitoring and remote reconnaissance has motivated the development of compact robotic platforms that can operate effectively in hazardous military environments. This paper presents an autonomous ground-surveillance robot capable of switching seamlessly between autonomous navigation and manual teleoperation, ensuring mission continuity in unpredictable operational conditions. The proposed system is built around an ESP32 controller that integrates multiple sensing modules—including ultrasonic, infrared (IR), passive infrared (PIR), smoke detection, and a dedicated landmine detection sensor—to enable real-time obstacle avoidance, threat identification, and situational awareness. A multi-sensor fusion strategy enhances decision accuracy during autonomous movement, enabling the robot to detect intrusions, navigate around obstacles, and identify concealed explosive threats. For tactical visual intelligence, the robot employs an ESP32- CAM module that provides live video streaming to a remote operator, supporting surveillance, target assessment, and remote maneuverability. A laser firing module is incorporated for precision target indication and simulated engagement. The motion subsystem consists of an H-bridge motor driver and high-torque DC motors, enabling stable mobility across outdoor terrain. Keywords- Autonomous UGV, multi-sensor fusion, ESP32, landmine detection, obstacle avoidance, intrusion detection, remote teleoperation, battlefield surveillance.