Ukrainian Bufalo: what a 4-ton ground drone with AI and a diesel engine is capable of

The role of ground robotic systems in Ukraine is gradually growing. Robots are used for humanitarian and military demining, ammunition delivery, evacuation of the wounded, engineering work at the front and some specific military tasks. Both small robotic platforms with electric motors and heavy diesel models with wide functionality are appearing on the market.

The first "heavy" Ukrainian robot was PROTECTOR from "Ukrainian Armored Vehicles". But now another development team is preparing to present another ground-based robotic complex in this niche.

We are talking about a robot called Bufalo. It was created by a Ukrainian company, which for security reasons is not yet disclosing its name. However, Defense learned details about the ground robotic complex and was able to join its testing.

How does the Ukrainian robot work?

The Bufalo drone can be configured for various tasks, but its main purpose is logistics and humanitarian demining.

One of the claimed advantages is the diesel engine. It allows you to adjust the range without the need to constantly "change batteries." The complex is equipped with as many tanks as the customer needs, so the Bufalo can travel 100 or 200 km.

"Previously, manufacturers relied on electric robots, and at certain stages of the war this was an advantage. Now it has become a disadvantage: the front line has stretched, and electric drones are not able to cover such a distance to deliver provisions and ammunition to the front line," explains the company's head Vladyslav.

Another advantage is protection. The Bufalo can withstand direct hits from any bullet and indirect artillery fire from 152 mm shells if they fall within a radius of 100 m. Its hull is sheathed in armored European steel, and the wheels allow it to move after damage.

The communication system works remotely. There are two available options: Starlink and radio channel. Satellite communication with GPS navigation is protected from the influence of enemy electronic warfare thanks to the CRPA antenna.

"As for the radio channel, we have the main one and there will be a backup connection. If we need to travel a long distance, and Starlink is "crushed" or Elon Musk turns it off, we will raise the carrier with the repeater. And there will be no problems," says Vladyslav.

Bufalo weighs about 4 tons, moves at speeds of up to 20 km/h and remains inconspicuous thanks to its low profile. According to the developer, its power is enough not only to transport cargo, but also to pull out stuck vehicles. On the battlefield, this saves time and helps to preserve people and equipment.

The ground drone works with artificial intelligence, which provides local navigation. Bufalo analyzes data from cameras installed on it, "sees" obstacles at a distance of up to 15 meters, offers a safe route and stops in case of danger. At the same time, control remains with the operator.

"A robot can capture and accompany a target, but it will not make a decision to destroy equipment or people. I will never let it make a decision instead of a person, because life depends on it," Vladyslav emphasizes.

How was the drone created?

The idea to create Bufalo came to Vladyslav when he was working at another defense company. At one of the presentations, a military man approached the manufacturer's drone stand and advised him to test it off-road. The equipment failed: a wheel fell off, and the drone overturned. This incident became the impetus for change.

"The military man then said: 'This is the entire assessment of your equipment.' After I left the company , I opened my own project. I wanted to do something that would really help the military," the company manager recalls.

At first, the team wanted to make a drone with a machine gun - so that the robot would walk ahead of the infantry and reduce risks to people. But later they decided: the approach should be different. So they turned to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for requirements for the drone. And then they went to the units to hear about their needs.

"One of the soldiers wanted smoke bombs for cover, the second wanted Starlink, the third wanted armored wheels, the fourth wanted the bottom of the robot to be "sewn" with armor so it wouldn't catch mines and explode. We implemented all of this in Bufalo," says Vladyslav.

The team decided to launch the project in January 2025, and work on creating the deminer continued from March to August. The kit (in the deminer configuration) includes the drone itself with a hydraulic system, a demining mulcher, a control panel, and a carriage.

The company emphasizes that their drone is 70% Ukrainian. It has domestic electronics and cameras. The remaining 30% are basic components from the European Union. The cost of Bufalo has not yet been disclosed.

What are they planning to add to the drone?

The developers see Bufalo not only as a mine-clearing machine. The plans are to make it multifunctional. The current version of the robot is undergoing testing and adaptation to the realities of the front, and each stage provides new ideas for improvement.

Among the plans is the installation of a combat module. For this, consultations will be held with the military. Bufalo can also be an engineering drone. The hydraulic system allows you to attach various tools to it - for example, a bucket that can be used to dig trenches remotely.

Another area of work is electronic warfare protection. The team has already tested an 11-channel radio jamming system that has been found to be compatible with the Bufalo. All that remains is to choose a manufacturer and integrate the system into the drone.

"We are building an infrastructure-simple drone so that you can "remove" one control and install another. We have made clear communication interfaces. The task of the electronic warfare manufacturer is to give us a connector that we will plug into the system and it will automatically work," the company's head notes.

The developers are about to officially present Bufalo and codify it. The team plans to start production with 10 robots per month, and then agree on collaboration and scale the project.