Teledyne FLIR Defense has launched a new throwable reconnaissance robot at SOF Week in Florida. This compact tool, called the FirstLook 125, is made for special operations troops to scout dangerous areas before moving in.

The company introduced it at the annual defense conference, highlighting its lightweight design for quick use in urban combat and tight spaces.

The robot weighs only 5.7 pounds, so one person can carry and throw it through windows, doors, or into debris. Its tracks let it move over rough ground, stairs, and collapsed buildings while sending live video, thermal images, and audio back to the operator.

Built for high-risk battlefield entry

The FirstLook 125 is meant to be the first tool sent into dangerous or unknown areas. According to Teledyne FLIR Defense, it can survive drops of up to 16 feet and will right itself after landing, so operators do not have to adjust it by hand.

This small robot uses moving flippers to climb over obstacles and get through rubble or tight indoor spaces. Its cameras, which include both regular and infrared, let troops watch areas during the day or at night.

Built-in lights and two-way audio help soldiers communicate and check out areas with poor visibility, even when GPS does not work well or is missing. The company said the robot uses secure, fast communications. This helps operators stay aware of what is happening and make quicker decisions in the field.

“Ruggedness isn’t even a question,” said Tung Ng, vice president for unmanned systems at Teledyne FLIR Defense. “Through repeated throws, hard drops — plus its agility in confined spaces — FirstLook 125 is engineered for reliability when conditions are toughest.”

A key feature is that it works with Teledyne FLIR Defense’s Black Hornet 4 nano-drone. Both systems use the same controller and setup, so one person can operate both the drone and the ground robot without switching equipment.

The company explained this setup supports faster transitions between indoor and outdoor surveillance. They can use the drone to scout from the air, then move to the ground robot when entering buildings, tunnels, or blocked pathways.

Teledyne stated that using both systems together keeps intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance going in different environments. The combined system is meant to give small teams more flexibility and reduce the gear they have to bring.

The FirstLook 125 was made for teams that need to coordinate ground and air operations. It lets squads watch areas from different viewpoints during fast-paced missions.

Designed for rapid deployment missions

According to Teledyne FLIR Defense, the robot is designed for troops on foot who need portable reconnaissance gear that adds little weight during long missions. The company emphasized that the system is ready to use right after being thrown or dropped into place. It quickly starts sending video and thermal images while moving over rough ground.

Its secure, real-time communication link provides operators with constant battlefield data and helps them make quick tactical decisions. Visible and infrared imaging allow users to identify threats, track movement, and inspect hidden areas in tough conditions.

“Along with our FirstLook 110 robot, the FirstLook family continues to give operators eyes, ears — and confidence — before putting personnel in harm’s way,” he added.