Controlling a drone from 2,000 kilometres away: Ukraine’s Ark Robotics showcases Frontier System at DALO 2025

Ukrainian-Estonian defence startup Ark Robotics demonstrated its flagship product, the Frontier System, during a live showcase at DALO EXPO 2025 in Ballerup, Denmark, on 20–21 August.

Speaking to Defender Media, Ark Robotics COO Denys Hlushko said visitors were able to remotely operate a ground robot in real time on a training field near Kyiv – almost 2,000 kilometres away from Denmark.

Founded in 2024, Ark Robotics has quickly established itself as one of Ukraine’s leading developers of autonomous systems. The company’s solutions are already in service with 20 brigades of the Defence Forces and are also being used by Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Digital Transformation.

The company’s flagship product, Frontier System, is an AI-powered platform for managing robotic fleets with minimal human input. It is designed to increase frontline efficiency and safety while providing asymmetric advantages over the enemy. The system enables remote control of thousands of aerial, ground, and naval drones.

Frontier System allows drone operators to remain at a safe distance from the frontline. It offers a unified interface for commanders and operators, with encrypted real-time video and telemetry transmission from the field to the control point.

Ark Robotics team notes that the Frontier System remains at the prototype stage and is still under development. According to Hlushko, the platform is compatible not only with Ark Robotics’ own drones but also with unmanned systems produced by other manufacturers. At DALO EXPO, visitors tested control of Ukraine’s Targan UGV, alongside a ground robot developed in-house by Ark Robotics.

Earlier, Defender Media reported that Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence had launched the K4 Startup Studio acceleration programme to support defence startups working with artificial intelligence. Four selected teams will receive $250,000 grants as well as mentoring and operational support from the military.