AeroVironment Completes Acquisition of Unmanned Ground Vehicle Provider Telerob

AeroVironment Inc., which makes robotic systems for military and public-safety applications, yesterday said it has completed its acquisition of Telerob GmbH for €37.5 million ($45.4 million U.S.). Telerob makes unmanned ground vehicles and other mobile systems. The German government approved the acquisition, which includes the payoff of about €7.8 million ($9.4 million) in Telerob’s debt.

“Our acquisition of Telerob marks a significant expansion to our portfolio of intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems, from small and medium unmanned aircraft systems, to tactical missile systems, and now unmanned ground vehicles,” stated Wahid Nawabi, president and CEO of AeroVironment. “We welcome the talented Telerob team and look forward to delivering even more capability to our customers in the United States and more than 50 allied countries around the world.”

AeroVironment said it provides mobile robots, sensors, software analytics, and connectivity to deliver actionable intelligence so customers can "proceed with certainty." The Simi Valley, Calif.-based company is celebrating 50 years of innovation and supplies defense, government, and commercial customers with unmanned aircraft and tactical missile systems.

AeroVironment now provides unmanned systems for multiple domains. Source: AeroVironment

Telerob provides UGVs for defense, public safety

Founded in 1994, Telerob is based in Ostfildern near Stuttgart, Germany. The new AeroVironment unit provides mobile systems intended to ensure the safety and security of critical infrastructure and people. Its product range includes remote-controlled unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) for disarming improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and investigating chemical, biological, readiological, and nuclear (CBRN) hazards.

Telerob said its turnkey UGVs include the telemax and tEODor EVO family, as well as fully-equipped transport vehicles and training, repair, and support services. The company said its systems can perform a variety of dangerous missions, including explosive ordinance disposal (EOD) and hazardous materials handling (HAZMAT).

In addition, Telerob said its ruggedized UGVs possess all-terrain capabilities and include specialized manipulators, autonomous functionality, and controls designed to be intuitive. They are intended to deliver a high degree of mission flexibility for applications including homeland security, emergency response, and defense. The company has customers in 45 countries.

“The entire Telerob team is excited to join forces with AeroVironment so we can deliver our expanded offering to current and new customers around the world,” said Norbert Gebbeken, managing director of Telerob. “Delivering intelligent, multi-domain robotic solutions, both in the air and on the ground, can help more customers achieve their mission objectives. Working together with the AeroVironment team in the future has the potential to create even more compelling solutions in multiple applications and industries.”

AeroVironment submitted a proposal with Telerob for the U.S. Air Force 10-year Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Large Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) robot program, announced in October 2020. The Air Force has not yet announced the awardee for this program.