DEUTZ AG and Hypercraft, Inc. have joined together under a strategic partnership in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand their cooperation in the field of unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) and mobile drive systems.
The partnership is focused on leveraging the strengths of both companies, and also aims to evaluate of DEUTZ’s scaled OEM solutions for Hypercraft’s UGV platforms. Hypercraft develops flexible, software-defined UGV mission platforms that utilize its open software architecture and systems integration expertise. DEUTZ, who already supplies combustion engines, will also provide additional drive solutions in the future.
In this partnership, DEUTZ contributes its expertise as a holistic system provider, including its NewTech business unit in the fields of hybrid drivetrains, batteries and power electronics, as well as the potential assembly and final acceptance of Hypercraft platforms and systems for the European market at a DEUTZ production site — along with its global service network comprising more than 1,000 sites in over 180 countries.
Hypercraft will contribute its advanced technologies and research and development (R&D) resources relating to UGV development and its software-defined vehicle architecture, unmanned platforms and system solutions. Additionally, Hypercraft brings its military customer network to help define operational requirements and test new DEUTZ products for the U.S. market.
With this cooperation, DEUTZ is further expanding its activities in the field of security- and defense-relevant mobility and energy solutions. Going forward, the Defense business unit will become a further cornerstone of the DEUTZ Group alongside the established Energy, Engines and New Tech business units and the service business, which is a key driver of growth across all segments.
The MoU sets out the partners’ joint intentions. Binding activities will be governed by separate agreements.
