Clearpath Warthog

Overview

The Clearpath Warthog is Clearpath's largest and most capable mobile robot platform, an amphibious UGV with 272 kg payload, 830 mm ground clearance, and a track-and-wheel configuration that allows it to traverse water, deep mud, heavy snow, and virtually any natural terrain. Priced between $90,000 and $110,000, it is a serious research investment aimed at defence research establishments, environmental monitoring agencies, and industrial operators with genuinely demanding field conditions.

The Warthog is used in programmes exploring autonomous mining vehicle operations, infrastructure inspection in flood-prone environments, and defence logistics research. Its amphibious capability is unique among commercial research UGVs at this scale.

Key Specifications

• Payload: 272 kg
• Ground clearance: 830 mm
• Price: $90,000 to $110,000
• Locomotion: Amphibious, track-and-wheel hybrid
• Software: ROS/ROS2 on Ubuntu

Use Cases

UK deployment contexts include Environment Agency water infrastructure inspection, defence research at Dstl and UK university partners, offshore and coastal environment research, and agricultural research in heavy-terrain farming environments. The Warthog is one of the few platforms that can operate in the tidal and marshy terrain of UK estuary environments.

Its high payload allows it to carry substantial instrument arrays, multiple manipulator arms, and full power generation equipment for remote operation scenarios.

Buying Used

A secondary market for Warthog is extremely limited given the price point and specialised user base. Occasional units appear through government equipment disposals or research programme completions. Buyers should factor in comprehensive service and calibration costs, as the amphibious drive system requires specialist maintenance.

Alternatives to Consider

Clearpath Husky is the next step down for buyers whose terrain requirements do not demand amphibious capability, covering the majority of outdoor research use cases at a considerably lower price. For defence-specific applications, purpose-built military UGV platforms may be more appropriate than commercial research robots at this price level. Buyers in the UK utilities and infrastructure sector should also consider whether the Warthog's amphibious capability is genuinely required for their inspection scenarios, or whether a high-clearance wheeled platform would suffice. The Warthog represents a significant capital commitment and an equally significant ongoing maintenance commitment, so the terrain justification should be thoroughly validated before purchase.