throwbot

English

Etymology

From throw +‎ -bot or a blend of throw +‎ robot, likely coined to rhyme with robot. Originally a trademarked name for a robot model by the company ReconRobotics, but by the 2020's it started to become a genericized trademark. (It was also a name for an unrelated toy product line by the Lego company.)

Noun

throwbot (plural throwbots)

1. (robotics) A small, throwable robotic device, typically used by military and law enforcement for reconnaissance and situational awareness.
   • 2023 October 26, Rojoef Manuel, “British Army Trials Situational Awareness Technologies in Urban Warfare Training”, in The Defense Post‎, archived from the original on 17 July 2024:

     The remote-controlled throwbots can retain their upward position upon landing after being pitched over walls and into isolated areas. […] A throwbot is remotely controlled by troops to go into buildings and give a live feed of the environment before troops enter the building to minimize casualty.