The Israel Army has introduced two robots for combat trials in mid-2009
as part of an effort to protect ground forces. The trials were meant to
continue through October 2009 as a prelude to an award.
"The test phase will continue until October 2009, and later it will be
decided which and how many of the robots are going to be used in the
Infantry Corps forces," a military statement said on Aug. 11. "A training
and instruction program for the use of these robots by IDF forces is being
developed."
In 2007, the army drafted a requirement for combat robots in the wake of
the war with Hizbullah during the previous year. Commanders requested robots
to clear urban areas and roads in enemy territory from improvised explosive
devices.
GOC Army Headquarters has also been testing future robot models. The
military said these models, based on the existing robots, would contain
advanced abilities.
In January 2009, the army introduced Eyeball, a small ball that
contained an
internal camera. Eyeball was employed during the urban warfare operations by
Israel during the military invasion of the Gaza Strip.