When it comes to developing rugged autonomous ground vehicles (UGVs), real-world performance can’t be proven in a parking lot. At Clearpath Robotics, we understand that reliability in industrial applications like agriculture, defense, and mining is crucial. That’s why we use the natural outdoor space around our office as a multi-purpose testing ground to put our ground robots in various conditions.
In our testing space, we push our outdoor mobile platforms (Warthog, Husky A300, Jackal) to their limits, running them for hours in various terrains and weather using our OutdoorNav Autonomy Software. The result is proven durable, rugged robots you can trust to handle real-world conditions.
In this post, we’ll give you a behind-the-scenes look at how we put our UGVs to the challenge and why this level of field validation matters.
Why We Test Outdoor Robots
Our outdoor testing is an invaluable part of how we ensure our robots are ready for the real world. By running the outdoor ground robots in various conditions they could face in the field, we’re able to validate their durability in more realistic scenarios than just the workshop. This outdoor experience helps us catch areas of refinement before our customers receive their robot(s). Routine exposure to rugged terrain and unpredictable variables helps us build reliability and trust in both our hardware and software systems. Each test drives continuous improvement and ensures iterations of our UGVs are smarter, stronger, and more capable than the last.
Where We Test Outdoor Robots
Our outdoor testing grounds are rugged and versatile, to get a real sense of what our robots are capable of. The field features a mix of uneven terrain and slopes, overgrown vegetation, loose sand patches, and gravel sections — perfect for testing traction and mobility. With both open stretches and tight, narrow paths, the space enables reasonable obstacle navigation and path planning. There are also hills, curbs, concrete slabs, and wooden pallets to simulate real-world site conditions.
With our outdoor robots being IP-rated for weather resistance, we run tests year-round, which in Ontario, Canada brings all types of weather conditions. Our robots are tested on hot, summer days (high of 40°C/104°F), in cold, snowy winters (low of -30°C/-22°F), and wet, rainy conditions. By testing our outdoor platforms in all of these conditions, it better ensures performance and reliability no matter the climate.
We also use an IP-rated wireless charge dock to facilitate long running tests without human intervention or robots needing to leave the test area. Along with any onboard cameras and sensors, the robots and test field can be monitored remotely using an outdoor network camera attached to the building.
How We Test Outdoor Robots
Our robot testing process is designed to evaluate performance, durability, and autonomy in real-world conditions. Functional hardware testing ensures the robot can reliably navigate different terrains, while durability and runtime tests evaluate how long it can operate under simulated payloads — represented by weight plates mounted on the platform. We inspect critical components for shock and vibration damage: are the fasteners staying tight, are fan filters clogging too quickly, are tires wearing prematurely? We track potential issues like motor burnout, cracks in the chassis, or component failure over time. Every test feeds into a feedback loop that sharpens both our hardware and autonomy systems, ensuring they’re ready for the harshest customer environments.
In addition to hardware performance for wear and tear, we also run a range of autonomy tests including GPS waypoint navigation, obstacle detection and avoidance, and dynamic path replanning. Special scenarios are designed to simulate extreme environments: loose sand mimics beach or riverbank crossings, gravel tests vibration resistance, and overgrown vegetation challenges the robot’s navigation using LiDAR sensors.
OutdoorNAV Drives Reliability Testing
With our OutdoorNav Autonomy Software, we can deploy a fleet of robots in the testing field to operate without human intervention. With support for autonomous docking and wireless charging, robots can drive in the outdoor testing grounds for hours on end. Without this setup, such long-duration testing would require manual operation — an inefficient and time-consuming process.
Our dedicated testing grounds play a critical role in ensuring the rugged performance and reliability of our outdoor robotic platforms. By simulating real-world conditions, we’re able to push our systems to their limits and continuously refine their capabilities. Whether it’s navigating uneven terrain or operating in harsh weather, outdoor platforms like the Husky A300 are built to perform where it matters most.
Learn more about the Husky A300 platform, OutdoorNAV Autonomy Software, and contact our team to accelerate your research and industrial projects.