innovative Partnership Enhances Drone Technology
Kongsberg Geospatial has joined forces with Sentient Vision Systems to create a groundbreaking capability that enables real-time video data analysis from drone sensors. This advanced technology incorporates Sentient’s Kestrel, an AI-driven computer vision system designed for automated object recognition.
Transforming Unmanned Aerial Systems
This new advancement aims to significantly improve the operational efficiency of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) utilized by search and rescue teams, law enforcement agencies, and military forces.Applications range from Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) to Search and Rescue (SAR) missions. The system will leverage Kongsberg’s MIDAS (Modular ISR Data Analysis and Storage) tool, which facilitates the review and comparison of real-time, near real-time, and historical sensor data, including full-motion video (FMV).
Real-time Data Analysis with MIDAS
MIDAS empowers operators to analyze video feeds in real-time, allowing for easy comparison with data from previous missions in the same vicinity. This integration with Sentient Kestrel enhances the ability to identify search and rescue subjects in challenging environments, such as dense forests, severe weather, and turbulent waters.
Advanced Technology Roots
The MIDAS system is built on technology initially developed for the NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) project, which necessitated the storage and retrieval of extensive intelligence data for subsequent analysis. kongsberg Geospatial has adapted this capability into a portable format suitable for both military and civilian applications.
Kestrel: A Game-Changer in Object Detection
Kestrel is an AI-powered computer vision system that autonomously identifies objects in both electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR) video. It can detect objects as small as a few pixels in both terrestrial and maritime settings, significantly enhancing video surveillance effectiveness while alleviating operator fatigue. Beyond merely highlighting objects in live feeds, Kestrel offers tracking capabilities that display a history of movements and predict future trajectories. With over 3,000 deployments across six continents, Kestrel has proven its reliability across various aerial platforms.
expert Insights on the Collaboration
Ranald McGillis, president of Kongsberg Geospatial, stated, “We designed MIDAS to provide a standardized toolkit that enables UAS operators to effectively utilize video data for actionable intelligence.The integration of Sentient’s Kestrel technology enhances this functionality, offering a highly valuable near real-time capability for search and rescue operations.”
dr. Paul Boxer, Managing Director of sentient Vision Systems, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration: “we are thrilled that our Kestrel object detection software is now integrated into the Kongsberg Geospatial MIDAS system. This combination of leading-edge solutions will significantly improve real-time situational awareness, intelligence analysis, and life-saving operations for our clients.”
