PLA Unveils New Explosive Ordnance Disposal Robot

 A new-type explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) robot of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), which has been developed by a research institute of engineering corps under the General Armaments Department (GAD) of the PLA in the past eight years, was officially unveiled on the test ground in mid-April, 2012, adding a cutting-edge tool to the dangerous EOD operations. 


An operator remotely controlled an EOD robot to go straightly to an EOD area on the test ground of the research institute. 

Crossing grassland, climbing stairs and overcoming obstacles… the EOD robot walked as easily as if walking on a flat ground and soon transmitted real-time pictures such as state and ambient media of unexploded ordnance back to the rear control platform. 


The robot carrying detonating sub-munition approached its target slowly after technicians determined the EOD program. 


After the robot evacuated the area safely, the operator pressed a button of the wireless remote control and the unexploded ordnance was removed completely. 


According to a briefing, the EOD robot is composed of EOD device, detonating device and wireless remote control initiating device. It has dual functions of observing beaten zone and removing unexploded ordnance. It is mainly used in EOD operations on various occasions including mine detonating, live-ammunition exercise, anti-terrorism and anti-violence. It has such characteristics as portability, flexibility, good controllability and wide applicability.

The robot can overcome obstacles of a maximum of 30 centimeters vertically and 60 centimeters horizontally and can wade across water of a maximum depth of 25 centimeters. It has good resistance to overturning and is able to work normally on a slope with a gradient of 20 degrees on all sides. It has a maximum speed of 60 meters per minute and its mechanical hands can grasp a five-kilogram object and flexibly place a small-sized initiating device.


“The EOD robot can change the shape of its tracks according to terrains and it can move not only on city streets and in alleys and stairs, but also cross grassland, vast deserts and Gobi. It can distinguish itself while performing diversified military tasks,” said Yang Jianhao, head of the research institute.