The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is moving to deploy a new robot that turns two days of tank maintenance into a two-hour task, returning armored vehicles to action far faster than before.
Developed by Ruby.AI, the system features arms or manipulators likened to a mechanical octopus, capable of bending, twisting, and reaching deep into tank engines.
These manipulators can handle maintenance tasks — like cleaning components and scanning systems — that were once manually performed by soldiers.
The robot can operate autonomously, keeping personnel out of hazardous spaces and away from chemicals, oil residue, and extreme heat.
Serving as its cognitive core is the company’s Physical AI engine, which allows the robot to learn elements from the physical world and interpret what it observes.
“We are developing both the robotic arms themselves and their brains,” said Daniel Ben Dov, Chief Executive Officer at Ruby.AI, as quoted by Jerusalem Post.
“This is not a sterile factory robot, but one that can work in mud, dust, heat, and cold.”
Building on the Momentum
Riding the breakthroughs of the tank maintenance robot, Ruby.AI is expanding its autonomous platform across multiple frontlines.
The company has rolled out autonomous refueling robots that complete the entire fueling process without human contact, even in explosive environments.
Other innovations include robots designed to swap 100‑kilogram (220-pound) tank wheels, a physically punishing task long associated with back injuries.
The company is also developing mission-specific robots capable of crawling through mud and water to clear underground tunnels, navigating spaces that challenge conventional humanoid designs.
Beyond combat support, Ruby.AI is exploring military medical robots, including five-fingered bionic arms that assist rehabilitation and operate safely in chemically contaminated environments.
