Unmanned Ground Vehicles Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Application Type (Military, Commercial), By Mobility Type (Wheeled, Tracked, Legged, Hybrid), By Size Type (Small, Medium, Large, Very Large), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 3.46 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	7.93%
Fastest Growing Segment	Military
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 5.47 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Unmanned Ground Vehicles Market will grow from USD 3.46 Billion in 2025 to USD 5.47 Billion by 2031 at a 7.93% CAGR. Unmanned Ground Vehicles are mechanized platforms designed to operate on surface terrain without an onboard human operator, utilizing remote control or autonomous systems for navigation. The primary drivers fueling market growth include the critical necessity to minimize human exposure to hazardous environments in defense and industrial sectors, alongside the escalating demand for operational efficiency and labor automation within global supply chains. These fundamental motivators encourage adoption across industries seeking to automate dangerous or repetitive tasks, distinct from temporary technological trends.

However, the absence of universally standardized regulatory frameworks regarding autonomous navigation in public spaces remains a significant impediment to broader commercial expansion. Liability concerns and strict safety protocols continue to complicate full-scale deployment in unstructured environments. According to the International Federation of Robotics, in 2024, sales of professional service robots for transportation and logistics reached 102,900 units, demonstrating the substantial scale of adoption despite these ongoing challenges.

Key Market Drivers

The Acceleration of Global Defense Modernization and Military Robotics Procurement is fundamentally reshaping the market as nations seek to integrate unmanned systems into combat formations. This driver is characterized by a shift from experimental prototypes to large-scale acquisition programs designed to enhance soldier survivability and operational reach in high-threat zones. Defense agencies are increasingly focused on cost-effective, scalable platforms that can be deployed in swarms or as robotic wingmen to manned vehicles, prioritizing affordability to enable mass deployment. According to Breaking Defense, August 2025, in the 'Army moving out with cheaper Robotic Combat Vehicle competition' article, the U.S. Army issued a request for information for ground robots with a price tag below $650,000 per unit to equip Armored Brigade Combat Teams.

Simultaneously, the Expansion of Commercial Logistics and Last-Mile Delivery Automation is driving substantial growth in the civilian sector, fueled by the imperative to reduce delivery costs and address persistent labor shortages. Retailers and logistics providers are rapidly scaling autonomous fleets to handle urban deliveries, aiming for contactless and efficient service models that operate independently of human shifts. This commercial surge is evidenced by significant fleet expansions; according to Serve Robotics, December 2025, in the 'Serve Robotics Achieves 2025 Target' press release, the company officially achieved its goal of deploying more than 2,000 delivery robots across the United States. Underscoring the wider trajectory of this technological adoption, according to the Association for Advancing Automation, in 2025, North American companies ordered 17,635 robots valued at over $1 billion during the first half of the year.

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Key Market Challenges

The absence of universally standardized regulatory frameworks regarding autonomous navigation in public spaces acts as a critical bottleneck for the Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) market. Without cohesive laws governing how these vehicles interact with pedestrians and human traffic, manufacturers face a fragmented legal landscape that creates substantial liability risks. This uncertainty forces companies to restrict operations to controlled, private environments like warehouses, effectively stalling the deployment of UGVs in public last-mile delivery networks where they are most needed. Consequently, potential adopters delay investment due to the inability to secure comprehensive insurance or guarantee long-term operational compliance.

This hesitation creates a measurable drag on market momentum, preventing the industry from realizing the explosive growth rates expected from technological advancements alone. The impact of these deployment hurdles is reflected in recent procurement data, which shows a stabilization of demand rather than rapid acceleration. According to the Association for Advancing Automation, in 2024, North American robot orders totaled 31,311 units, representing a marginal 0.5% increase compared to the previous year. This plateau in order volume underscores how regulatory and safety-related friction points directly hamper broader commercial scalability and dampen overall market expansion.

Key Market Trends

The Integration of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Advanced Autonomy is fundamentally elevating Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) from tele-operated devices to fully independent systems capable of navigating GPS-denied and unstructured environments. This technological progression enables onboard processors to dynamically perceive obstacles and replan routes in real-time, significantly reducing the cognitive burden on human operators during complex tactical or industrial maneuvers. The validation of this capability in operational settings is becoming increasingly frequent; according to Defense Advancement, June 2025, in the 'Autonomous Tactical Vehicles Deployed for Live Mission Trials' article, Overland AI successfully deployed its ULTRA autonomous systems across 15 live missions, where the vehicles executed end-to-end objectives with verifiable independence from human controllers.

Simultaneously, the Emergence of Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) Business Models is democratizing access to robotics by shifting procurement from capital-intensive acquisitions to flexible, subscription-based operational expenditures. This commercial paradigm allows enterprises in logistics and facility management to rapidly scale robotic fleets in response to fluctuating demand while transferring the risks of maintenance and technological obsolescence to the provider. The accelerating adoption of this model is reshaping procurement strategies; according to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), October 2025, in the 'World Robotics 2025 Service Robots' report, the RaaS segment recorded a growth rate of 42% in 2024, reflecting a decisive market shift towards pay-per-use automation solutions over traditional hardware ownership.

Segmental Insights

The Military segment is positioned as the fastest-growing area within the Global Unmanned Ground Vehicles Market, driven by an intensified focus on reducing human casualties in combat zones. Defense forces are increasingly adopting these vehicles for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions as well as explosive ordnance disposal. Institutions such as the United States Department of Defense are directing substantial funding toward fleet modernization to incorporate autonomous technologies for logistical and tactical support. This shift reduces reliance on personnel for dangerous tasks, thereby accelerating the procurement of unmanned systems across global defense sectors.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a leading position in the global unmanned ground vehicles market, driven by substantial defense expenditures and rapid technological adoption. The U.S. Department of Defense actively funds the procurement of autonomous systems to support combat and tactical operations, significantly boosting regional demand. Additionally, a strong industrial base of manufacturers facilitates the continuous development of these vehicles for commercial logistics and security sectors. This established ecosystem of government support and private sector innovation ensures North America remains the primary hub for market expansion.

Recent Developments

• In October 2024, Hanwha Aerospace unveiled the GRUNT, a hybrid electric unmanned ground vehicle formerly known as the Arion-SMET, during a defense exhibition in Washington, D.C. This 6x6 robotic platform was designed to support infantry operations with capabilities such as ammunition transport, medical evacuation, and reconnaissance. The vehicle featured a significantly increased payload capacity and operational range compared to its predecessor, along with a remote-controlled weapon system for target tracking. The launch highlighted the company's focus on advancing autonomous technologies to improve maneuverability and logistical support in complex combat environments.
• In September 2024, Teledyne FLIR Defense received two five-year contracts from the U.S. Army Contracting Command, valued at up to $47 million, to provide and sustain a wide range of ground robots. The funding supported the maintenance and delivery of systems such as the Man-Transportable Robotic System, Common Robotic Systems-Heavy, and the FirstLook, SUGV, and PackBot models. These agreements ensured that the Department of Defense and other government agencies maintained access to critical unmanned platforms for missions ranging from bomb disposal to hazardous material detection, reinforcing the operational readiness of military units.
• In June 2024, Milrem Robotics expanded its global footprint by establishing a new office in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, to serve as a regional center of excellence. This strategic move was aimed at strengthening collaborations with local government entities and integrating unmanned ground capabilities into the UAE Armed Forces’ arsenal. The company announced it would lead an experimentation and trial program to deploy THeMIS and tracked Robotic Combat Vehicles equipped with advanced autonomy features. This local presence facilitated closer cooperation with the EDGE Group and supported the development of tailored robotic solutions for the Middle East market.
• In April 2024, Rheinmetall AG secured a significant contract to supply its Mission Master SP unmanned ground vehicles to the Japanese Ministry of Defence. This agreement, facilitated through a partnership with Marubeni Aerospace, marked the first time these autonomous electric vehicles were selected by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force for testing and evaluation. The compact, low-signature robots were designed to support various mission profiles, including cargo transport, surveillance, and remote-controlled weapon station operations. The deal also encompassed a comprehensive long-term support and training program to ensure effective integration into the customer's fleet.

Key Market Players

• Teledyne FLIR LLC
• General Dynamics Corporation
• Rheinmetall AG
• QinetiQ Limited
• Oshkosh Corporation
• Groupe ECA
• AeroVironment Inc.
• Horiba Mira Ltd
• Milrem AS
• Textron Inc

By Application Type	By Mobility Type	By Size Type	By Region
Military Commercial	Wheeled Tracked Legged Hybrid	Small Medium Large Very Large	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Unmanned Ground Vehicles Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Unmanned Ground Vehicles Market, By Application Type:

• Military
• Commercial

• Unmanned Ground Vehicles Market, By Mobility Type:

• Wheeled
• Tracked
• Legged
• Hybrid

• Unmanned Ground Vehicles Market, By Size Type:

• Small
• Medium
• Large
• Very Large

• Unmanned Ground Vehicles Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE