Shield AI, an American defense technology company, has signed an agreement with Australia-based Sentient to deliver a next-generation wide area motion imagery (WAMI) solution for Shield AI’s V-BAT unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
“The supply contract is a multi-year, multi-unit agreement, with first deliveries planned for 2024,” according to Sentient’s CEO Mark Palmer.
The companies previously announced the joint development and integration of a ViDAR-enabled, wide-area-search capability onto Shield AI’s V-BAT unmanned aircraft, which will enable Shield AI’s V-BAT to intelligently classify, track, and read and react to targets in dynamic missions.
“Our partnership with Sentient Vision marks a major advancement in AI-driven situational awareness. Integrating ViDAR with our V-BAT platform showcases our dedication to giving allied warfighters the best AI tools so they can achieve a clear strategic edge,” said Brandon Tseng, Shield AI’s President, Co-founder, and former U.S. Navy SEAL.
ViDAR (Visual Detection and Ranging) is an advanced AI system developed by Sentient, which utilizes Electro-Optic or Infrared (EO/IR) sensors to detect and classify targets in the imagery stream that would be invisible to a human operator or to conventional radar.
With these cutting-edge capabilities, V-BAT will be more adept at executing even the most challenging missions, providing a level of capability that greatly improves threat deterrence and reinforces international peace and security.
Shield AI’s Hivemind AI software will be used in conjunction with ViDAR to enable the V-Bat UAS to navigate complex environments, adapt to changing situations autonomously, and react intelligently to targets in dynamic scenarios. This technology will enable the V-Bat UAS to conduct wide-area search missions.
Combining ViDAR with Shield AI’s Hivemind will provide the most advanced AI-piloted ISR sensor package in the world. The first deliveries are expected to begin next year.
“The confirmation of our long-term relationship absolutely reflects the AI technology workstream that is underlined in the AUKUS Pillar 2,” explained Sentient’s newly appointed CEO, Mark Palmer. “Innovation stemmed from our computer vision AI-enabled ViDAR and Shield AI’s Hivemind will provide commanders with immediate situational awareness and survivability of our warfighters.”
