AZAK, the American mobility company, unveiled its new unmanned ground vehicle centered around a futuristic autonomous wheel system.
According to Defence Blog, the vehicle has no chassis. Instead, the company designed each wheel as an independent power unit housing the motor, battery, and core components.
This architecture, according to the company, allows torque to be scaled by adding wheels, lowers the center of gravity, and enables obstacle climbing rather than simply avoiding them.
Unlike conventional UGVs, this chassis-less unmanned ground vehicle offers a higher payload-to-weight ratio, greater stability over rough terrain, and the ability to mount platforms in various configurations without redesigning the vehicle.
In an interview with Defence Blog, Ben Meager, CEO of AZAK, explained that platform tests were conducted by the U.S. Army in 2025, including at xTechOverwatch and during a full rotation at the National Training Center.
During testing, soldiers used the system in various field scenarios, employing it for cargo transport, rough terrain mobility, and deployment of smaller drones.
“Soldiers quickly understood the high-ceiling potential of AZAK, recognizing it as an essential tool to accelerate mission tempo and, more critically, keep personnel out of harm’s way,” Meager explained.
According to Meager, the system carried over 220 kg on difficult terrain and altered the operational concepts of the participating squad at each stage of testing.
Meager also emphasized that AZAK does not identify as a traditional UGV manufacturer. Instead, the company builds mobility technology centered on an independent wheel module.
“The AZAK architecture is not just an unusual concept; it is the defining evolution of ground mobility. We do not build a single vehicle; we provide the primary ground autonomy engine in infinite configurations.”
He also noted that the company is developing a broader range of new mission profiles and expanded configurations, without tying the work to specific payloads or variants, with announcements planned for 2026.
Photos: AZAK. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
