Defend AI, Inc., the protection know-how firm constructing the world’s finest AI pilot, has introduced a definitive settlement to amass Sentient Imaginative and prescient Techniques (Sentient), an Australia-based chief in AI-enabled real-time situational consciousness, pending customary closing circumstances and regulatory approval.
The businesses will merge AI experience and operational understanding to ship superior intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities for at present’s quickly altering protection and safety atmosphere. In August 2023, the corporations introduced the joint growth of a ViDAR-enabled huge space movement imagery (WAMI) resolution referred to as “Sentient Observer,” which Defend AI plans to fly this yr.
“The mixture of AI pilots, Sentient Observer, and groups of reasonably priced drones just like the MQ-35 VBAT will present the identical land and maritime area consciousness that at present’s $40M and $180M Group 5 drones and crewed plane just like the P-8 present at a fraction of the value. The DoD has requested for an all-seeing eye over tens of 1000’s of sq. miles, 24/7, with out the necessity for GPS or communication hyperlinks. For Defend AI, Sentient Observer is the ultimate piece of that puzzle. The DoD can start augmenting and changing their legacy options for a distributed, low value, low danger resolution that doesn’t break the financial institution if an plane is shot down,” mentioned Brandon Tseng, Defend AI’s President, Cofounder, and former Navy SEAL.
“This acquisition unites Sentient’s ViDAR and our Hivemind AI pilot, creating the world’s most superior AI-piloted ISR sensor bundle,” mentioned Ryan Tseng, CEO and Cofounder of Defend AI. “Contemplating the crucial of overlaying huge maritime areas, particularly within the Pacific, becoming a member of forces with Sentient was a strategic selection given their experience in optical radar options. The combination of WAMI on V-BAT will revolutionize our providing, enabling Group 3-sized plane to carry out duties that beforehand required bigger, costlier plane, considerably enhancing our clients’ operational capabilities.”
This information follows a number of important milestones for Defend AI’s development within the Australian market. In February, V-BAT acquired certification for Australian operations from Australia’s Civil Aviation Security Authority (CASA). Shortly thereafter, in partnership with Defend AI’s Australian companion, Toll Aviation, the businesses launched the inaugural Australian V-BAT coaching course.
“What stood out to us about Defend AI is that they’re the one firm on the earth with an operational AI pilot, and subsequently have the technological experience and maturity to essentially ship on the AI know-how workstream underlined in AUKUS Pillar 2. The innovation breakthrough combining our laptop imaginative and prescient AI-enabled ViDAR and Defend AI’s Hivemind will improve situational consciousness, enabling faster more practical resolution making and assist to avoid wasting lives,” mentioned Sentient’s CEO, Mark Palmer.
ViDAR is Sentient’s AI system, which makes use of an Electro-Optic or Infrared (EO/IR) sensor to detect and classify targets within the imagery stream that will be invisible to a human operator or to a traditional radar. Defend AI’s flagship product, Hivemind, is an AI pilot that permits groups of clever plane to function and full missions autonomously in high-threat environments, with out the necessity for distant operators or GPS. Hivemind is an aircraft-agnostic autonomy stack just like the self-driving know-how present in vehicles. It has flown six plane, together with quadcopters, the MQ-35A V-BAT, the F-16, and Kratos MQM-178 Firejet. Later this yr, it would fly Kratos’ XQ-58 Valkyrie. Defend AI has gathered extra autonomous flight hours executing fighter jet maneuvers, like dogfighting, than any firm on the earth.
About Defend AI
Based in 2015, Defend AI is a venture-backed protection know-how firm whose mission is to guard service members and civilians with clever programs. In pursuit of this mission, Defend AI is constructing the world’s finest AI pilot. Its AI pilot, Hivemind, has flown jets (F-16; MQM-178 Firejet), a vertical takeoff and touchdown drone (MQ-35 V-BAT), and three quadcopters (Nova, Nova 2, iPRD). The corporate has places of work in San Diego, Dallas, Washington, D.C., and overseas. Defend AI’s merchandise and individuals are at present within the area actively supporting operations with the U.S. Division of Protection and U.S. allies. For extra info, go to www.defend.ai
About Sentient Imaginative and prescient Techniques
Sentient Imaginative and prescient Techniques focuses on passive, optical detection utilizing huge space movement imagery. Sentient’s Synthetic Intelligence (AI)-enabled sensor edge options higher detect and establish small objects, on land, within the air and at sea. With greater than 20 years of growth in transferring goal indication, AI laptop imaginative and prescient and machine studying, Sentient has deployed 1000’s of programs worldwide within the area of Intelligence, Surveillance, Search and Rescue, enhancing situational consciousness choices in real-time and helped saved lives.
