Germany's Quantum Systems to test autonomous trucks and ground systems in Ukraine

The company announced the deal in a press release, according to Ukrinform.

"Following the signing of a multi-million-euro contract in Kyiv, Quantum Systems will deliver autonomous ground systems as part of a Ukrainian research and development program. The program includes 10 autonomous Zetros AI trucks equipped with the Quantum Systems Ground Autonomy Kit and 10 MANDRILL unmanned ground vehicles," the statement said.

According to the company, the vehicles will be deployed with the National Guard of Ukraine (NGU) under real-world conditions, generating feedback to support the continuous development of the system.

The contract includes ten Daimler Truck Zetros trucks equipped with the Quantum Systems MOSAIC Ground Autonomy Kit and ten MANDRILL unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). Daimler Truck is an official partner in the program, working with Quantum Systems in a development partnership focused on integrating vehicle hardware and autonomous software into the Zetros platform.

Quantum Systems said the MOSAIC Ground Autonomy Kit enables unmanned and teleoperated operations across logistics vehicles through a modular, software-defined architecture. Built on the open MOSAIC UXS ecosystem, it supports autonomous delivery, convoy operations and multi-domain missions by connecting ground vehicles with other unmanned systems into a single interoperable operational network. 

"We are looking forward to validating Unmanned Zetros trucks and MANDRILL UGVs under frontline conditions in Ukraine," said Hendrik Kramer, Vice President Ground Domain at Quantum Systems.

According to Kramer, the company has a proven track record of integrating frontline feedback into its systems.. He said the contract would allow Quantum Systems to test and validate two new products in real operational conditions in Ukraine just months after their launch.

The MANDRILL is a modular, high-mobility unmanned ground vehicle engineered for demanding defense and disaster response missions. With a payload capacity of up to 750 kg, a top speed of 100 km/h, and an electric range of up to 200 km, the platform combines endurance with mission flexibility. Its open architecture allows rapid integration of mission-specific payloads, including EO/IR sensor systems, logistics cargo cages, stretchers, drone launch and recovery systems, electronic warfare equipment, and other specialized modules.

Photo: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung