Shield AI, the American defense technology firm known for developing sophisticated AI pilots, and Sentient Vision Systems, an Australian frontrunner in AI-enabled passive wide area searches, have announced their strategic partnership. Their collaboration focuses on introducing a wide area motion imagery (WAMI) solution tailored for the Department of Defense (DoD), Australian Defense Forces (ADF), and other international entities.
The joint venture intends to integrate Sentient's ViDAR system—a capability designed for broad area searches—into Shield AI’s V-BAT unmanned aircraft. This integration is set to empower V-BAT with the ability to adeptly classify, monitor, and respond to targets during dynamic operations. The upgraded V-BAT is scheduled to take flight with this enhanced capability in the coming year.
Brandon Tseng, the President and Co-founder of Shield AI and a former U.S. Navy SEAL, emphasized the collaboration's significance, viewing it as a merger of innovative strengths from two ally nations. He remarked, "Together, we are shaping the future of defense technology."
ViDAR, Sentient’s proprietary AI system, is designed to harness Electro-Optic or Infrared (EO/IR) sensors. These sensors are adept at detecting and categorizing targets in imagery streams, even those that remain undetectable to human operators or traditional radar systems. The incorporation of ViDAR is expected to bolster V-BAT's proficiency, especially in executing challenging missions. Such an enhancement aims to reinforce threat deterrence and, in turn, strengthen global peace and security.
Expressing enthusiasm over the collaboration, Mark Palmer, the Chief Technology Officer at Sentient, stated, "We look forward to combining the AI expertise and operational understanding of our two great teams to deliver superior ISR capabilities for today’s rapidly changing defense and security environment.”
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