Though it looks more like a stability ball that you’d see at the gym, Guardbot is actually a round, land/water robot with many potential uses for broadcasting, spying, or security.
Though it began as a potential bot for missions to Mars, it is now being tested by the United States military to possibly assist in future patrolling duties.
The ball is about 60 centimeters (2 feet) in diameter, though it can be scaled up as large as 3 meters (9 feet) or as small as 10 centimeters (4 inches). The smaller version is perfect for searching underneath cars at security checkpoints. It is powered by a battery that lasts up to 8 hours.
The amphibious robot is capable of moving across a many landscapes, including sand, grass, mud, or even snow with a top speed of 9.7 kilometers per hour (6 mph). It is a bit slower in the water, maxing out at 6.4 kilometers per hour (4 mph). This might not be particularly fast, but it’s definitely enough to perform its necessary guard duties. The robot is also capable of climbing up hills with a 30 degree slope, making it able to guard a wide variety of locations.