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Tasked with choosing a tactical robot for their department, law enforcement officers can face a difficult time trying to decipher the differences between companies and their robots. Which can be quite difficult because robot companies display information differently. Without seeing both robots side-by-side, it is hard to get a sense of the similarities and the unique characteristics of each. Here is our best attempt at an unbiased comparison between our and ICOR’s tactical robots based on information provided on each company’s website, social media, and marketing materials and feedback from SWAT, EOD, and law enforcement officers across the US and Canada.
Each company has various robots in its tactical collection. The most comparable robots are SuperDroid Robot’s Bulldog to ICOR’s Mini-Caliber. Some of the biggest differences are based on intentional design decisions, such as ICOR’s robots being lighter weight and SuperDroid’s tactical robots being more durable because of the materials used.
 |  |
|
|---|---|---|
| SuperDroid Bulldog | ICOR Mini-Caliber | |
| Country Made In | United States | Canada |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 30" x 19" x 22" | 24" x 16" x 15" |
| Weight | 85 lbs | 64 lbs |
| Run Time | 8 hours | 5 hours |
| Speed | 1.25 mph | 2 mph |
| Ground Clearance | 2" | 1.5" |
| Range (No Repeater) | 1/2 mile | 1,000' |
| Arm's Degrees of Freedom | 6 | 6 |
| Camera Zoom | 30x Optical | 10x Optical |
| Climb Stairs | Yes | Yes |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| IR Capable | Yes | Yes |
| 360 | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 1 Year (Optional 3 Years) | 2 Years |
Some characteristics are hard to discern via just specifications:
- Control System: SuperDroid’s tactical remote provides independent joysticks for the camera, arm, and steering of the robot. This allows operators to use all three at the same time. ICOR’s remote uses a single joystick with swapping functionality to control the camera, arm, and steering. Both systems offer in-depth control over the robot with preset positions, recording, and status displays.
- Training: ICOR includes a day of on-site training with their robots and offers additional training for new officers as needed. SuperDroid offers virtual training and training exercises for operators to practice the functionality of their robot and usually takes less than 1 hour.
- Driving Speed: Both companies’ robots come with alternate speed modes. SuperDroid’s robots come with ‘Half-Speed/Full-Speed’ while ICOR uses ‘Stair-Climbing/Standard’.
- Tread Design: ICOR’s Mini-Caliber uses two main treads with four smaller flipper treads, which allows it to extend its footprint while maintaining a small chassis. SuperDroid’s Bulldog uses two large treads and flipper arms to achieve a similar effect. The Bulldog’s enclosed underside and track design helps prevent clothing and debris from getting stuck in the treads. Both robots use their flippers to climb stairs and tackle rough terrain.
- Arm Strength: Both the Bulldog and Mini-Caliber state their arm can lift 15 pounds. However, SuperDroid notes that capacity is with the arm fully extended, it can lift 65 pounds closer to the chassis. Physics also comes into play here because ICOR’s robot is lighter and therefore easier to tip over with more weight. Even with a heavier chassis, SuperDroid’s Bulldog can still do “push-ups” while ICOR advises operators not to rest the robot on its arm.
- Range: ICOR specifies that their robots have a range of 1,000ft (305 meters) without utilizing a repeater. SuperDroid’s remote provides a half-mile range (805 meters) line of sight without a repeater. Both companies offer their respective repeaters, and their robots can work on a mesh network.
- Runtime: Both robots use the same batteries (according to some users they’re interchangeable). SuperDroid touts an 8-hour run time on their robots and 4 hours on their remote compared to ICOR’s 5-hour run time.
- Accessories: Both companies offer an array of attachments, including disruptors, hot gas delivery, and gripper attachments. SuperDroid can include a MultiRAE Sensor (gas and chemical detector). ICOR offers a variety of gripper attachments for multiple scenarios.
- Customization: SuperDroid promotes designing and building custom robots alongside their standard tactical designs. We are unsure of the extent to which ICOR customizes its robots.
- Misc Notes: The Bulldog allows operators to detach the arm assembly, giving the robot a lower profile and allowing it to enter tighter spaces.
We hope that providing this comparison of tactical robots helps answer some of our readers’ questions. Determining which robot is best for your organization depends on your typical use cases, strategies, and policies.