Turkish Startup Unveils Domestic “Robot Dog” at NATO Innovation Event
ISTANBUL — A Turkish-made four-legged autonomous robot named Proteo made its public debut during a NATO event hosted by Istanbul Technical University’s Maritime Faculty on Oct. 19, showcasing Türkiye’s growing capabilities in military robotics and artificial intelligence.
The demonstration took place during the final phase of the NATO Innovation Continuum 2025, a program led by NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT) to accelerate the integration of next-generation defense technologies through collaboration across academia, industry and government institutions.
Meet Proteo — Türkiye’s New Military-Grade Robot Dog
Developed by Hyperever, a 2.5-year-old startup based in İTÜ ARI Technopark, Proteo is designed for surveillance, logistics support and explosive ordnance disposal missions. Equipped with GNSS guidance and advanced AI, the robot supports autonomous, semi-autonomous and manual operation modes.
Key performance specs include:
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Payload Capacity: 35 kilograms
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Operating Time: 4–6 hours
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Top Speed: 12 km/h (7.4 mph)
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Terrain Capability: Optimized for rough, uneven environments
Despite its compact form, Proteo can carry heavy loads with stability, navigate challenging terrain and serve as a force multiplier for military personnel during high-risk operations.
“Built for Harsh Conditions”
Hyperever founder and CEO Çayan Baykal said the team developed a functioning prototype in a short timeframe.
“These systems are extremely delicate. Our focus was to make the robot resilient enough for military use while ensuring a high payload capacity,” he said.
Baykal emphasized that Proteo is designed for urban warfare and cave-tunnel missions, adding that a fully standards-compliant version will be field-ready early next year.
Beyond Defense: Civilian Security Applications Ahead
While military deployment is the initial priority, Baykal noted strong potential for civilian use cases, such as autonomous patrol and security operations in harsh environments.
Next Goal: Humanoid Robots
Leveraging the technological foundation built with Proteo, Hyperever plans to expand into unmanned humanoid robots, marking a bold step toward Türkiye’s ambition in AI-powered robotics.
