whirrwork

Tactical, EOD & firefighting UGV

Teledyne FLIR PackBot 525

Man-transportable tracked robot with flippers and a manipulator arm, for bomb disposal, CBRN/hazmat detection, SWAT callouts and reconnaissance.

Made by Teledyne FLIR · Official page · Spec sheet

Specs are from Teledyne FLIR's own PackBot 525 datasheet (PackBot-525_Datasheet-A4-22-0520, May 2022). flir.com gates the datasheet behind a request form, so the link is to the same file as published by a distributor (ESDH, AU). The DHS SAVER report gives a base cost of about USD 183,500 and USD 296,400 as configured (see prices on the hazmat/CBRN job).

Whirrwork assessment, not a lab test

45/100 Some evidence, with limits

Independent evidence25 / 602 sources, 1 trial or test
Spec transparency11.4 / 204 of 7 key specs published
Spec strengthnot scoredNot scored: fewer than 3 catalogued models of this type publish a comparable figure.

Score = points ÷ 80 available (spec strength not scored). How we rate.

Specs (maker-published)

SpecValueAs published · source
Weight26.3 kg“57.9 lb (26.3 kg) (no batteries)” esdh.com.au
checked Oct 29, 2026
Runtime / flight time240 to 480 min“Up to 4 hrs with two (2) BB-2590 batteries; up to 8 hrs with four (4) BB-2590 batteries; optional in-situ charging” esdh.com.au
checked Oct 29, 2026
Top speed2.58 m/s“Up to 5.8 mph (9.3 km/h)” esdh.com.au
checked Oct 29, 2026
Max slope43 °“Slopes up to 43° (ascend, descend); up to 40° lateral. Stair climbing 40° [rise 8.5" (21.6 cm), run 10" (25.4 cm)]” esdh.com.au
checked Oct 29, 2026
Reach1,870 mm“Manipulator lift 44 lb (20 kg) close-in; 11 lb (5 kg) at max extension of 73.5" (187 cm)” esdh.com.au
checked Oct 29, 2026
SensorsThree (3) HD cameras; two-way audio; laser range finder; optional FLIR LWIR thermal camera and integrated CBRN sensor payloads (sold separately)“Three (3) HD cameras; two-way audio; laser range finder; optional FLIR LWIR thermal camera and integrated CBRN sensor payloads (sold separately)” esdh.com.au
checked Oct 29, 2026

Not published by the maker (or not found yet): Payload, Range, Ingress protection (IP).

What the maker claims

  • maker claim Deploys in under two minutes; fits in the trunk of a car (flir.com)

Claims are not independently checked unless an evidence item below says so.

Independent evidence

  1. Independent third-party test Supports the job fit

    Multifunctional Unmanned Ground Vehicles for Emergency Response Assessment Report (SAVER-T-R-38)
    DHS Science and Technology Directorate, National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (SAVER program) with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 2026-07

    Highest of the three UGVs tested by responders: overall 4.0 of 5 (capability 4.0, usability 3.9, deployability 3.9). Arm articulation, PTZ camera and speed rated best; lowest scores for autonomous functionality (2.9) and latency. It tipped over on the rubble pile but righted itself with its arm; deployed in a little over two minutes.

    Operational assessment 18-21 Aug 2025 at the US EPA Region 2 lab, Edison NJ: 7 responders with UGV experience scored PackBot 525, Spot and Vision 60 on 20 criteria (1-5 scale) across victim-assessment, hazmat and building-collapse scenarios. Report published July 2026; DHS does not endorse products.

  2. Independently documented deployment Supports the job fit

    PackBot 525 Robotic System for Chief of Special Operations Bureau: award notice (PIN 05625W0015001)
    The City Record (official journal of the City of New York), NYPD award notice, 2025-08-01

    The NYPD awarded a USD 389,940 contract (term 2025-08-01 to 2028-07-31) for a PackBot 525 robotic system for its Chief of Special Operations Bureau, via Winglee, LLC. A purchase record, not a performance report.

    The notice does not state the number of robots.

Jobs it can do

From its robot type. Whether it suits your site depends on the specs above and on the job's checklist.