Israeli Rescue and recovery forces used the “Rooster” drone—a hybrid robotic system developed by the local company Robotican—at missile impact sites during war with Iran.

Over the past few days, three Robotican operator teams equipped with the “Rooster” were deployed to assist ground forces. In Nesher, a town near Haifa, the system quickly entered a collapsed building. Alternating between rolling and flying, the drone scanned for trapped individuals and casualties, providing vital situational awareness to teams outside—all while minimizing risks to rescue personnel and enabling rapid assessment.

When the Bazan petrochemical facility in Haifa was hit, there was a serious concern of hazardous material leaks and fire, making it too dangerous for rescue teams to approach. The “Rooster” was sent in, equipped with various payloads, to search for victims and rule out chemical threats—allowing operations to proceed safely.

At Soroka Hospital in Be’er Sheva, which was also impacted by a direct missile hit, the Home Front Command’s rescue unit deployed multiple “Rooster” drones, equipped with thermal cameras and various sensors. With fears of structural collapse, the drones scanned for casualties and confirmed the absence of hazardous materials, leading the way ahead of ground forces and ensuring a secure path.

Robotican describes the “Rooster” as a hybrid robotic system. A rigid yet flexible cage allows it to roll over difficult terrain and hover to overcome obstacles. The drone penetrates dangerous zones, transmits live video to commanders and incident managers, and delivers critical situational data before emergency and evacuation teams enter.

“Robotican is fundamentally a defense company. Together with the Ministry of Defense, we develop the most advanced and effective robotic solutions—all with one goal: to save lives,” saus CEO Hagai Balshai. “Since October 7 and throughout the missile attacks from Iran, it was clear to us that we would stand alongside the fighters in the field with the tools developed here in Israel. And that’s exactly what we did—we recruited, trained, and even joined the operational efforts ourselves.”

Balshai shared that he had the privilege of taking part in one mission, joining a Home Front Command team with the “Rooster” system at the Soroka strike site. “From the very first moment, we conducted a thorough scan of the danger zone until full control was achieved. It’s an immense source of pride to see blue-and-white technology, developed and manufactured in southern Israel, actively saving lives.”

Image - Israel Defense Mag/Hagai Balshai