Australian company Sentient Vision Systems has signed a multi-year contract extension with AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems, to provide enhanced airborne surveillance capabilities.
Sentient Vision Systems’ Kestrel Moving Target Indication (MTI) system has been part of every Group 1 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) manufactured by Arlington, Virginia-based AeroVironment since 2011. There are now thousands of Kestrel systems in service with AeroVironment’s customers worldwide.
The contract extension, building on this close and successful 10-year relationship between the two firms, will see Melbourne-based Sentient Vision Systems provide updates to its Kestrel MTI system. These will enhance AeroVironment’s solutions with operationally proven advanced computational and deep learning algorithms, arming the modern war-fighter with trusted, advanced articificial intelligence (AI) to bring enhanced accuracy and efficiency to complex and dangerous tasks.
“This contract extension re-affirms the commitment of both companies to providing world-leading, tactical airborne surveillance solutions,” said Dr Paul Boxer, Managing Director of Sentient Vision Systems. “We invest heavily in the R&D necessary to keep our product range ahead of the threat and it’s gratifying to get this endorsement of our ongoing work from such a respected global customer.”
AeroVironment’s Group 1 UAS product range includes the Wasp AE, Raven and Puma AE, all of which weigh less than 25lb (12kg). AeroVironment’s family of Group 1 UAS customers includes the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, Australian Army and 50 others worldwide.
Kestrel is a full-motion video processing software that automatically scans sensor imagery feed to detect and track very small, slow-moving targets in real time. Based on Sentient Vision Systems’ own AIsystem dubbed Sentient AI (a powerful combination of deep learning and advanced computer vision), Kestrel is a significant wide area search capability that provides up to 20 times increase in surveillance area by analysing EO/IR sensor imagery frame by frame and automatically detecting targets in real time. It indicates potential targets of interest that would otherwise be too small to be seen by an operator, or that are ambiguous and that are in a very ‘cluttered’ environment with lots of moving people and vehicles.
Sentient AI is also at the heart of other products developed by Sentient Vision Systems including ViDARTM, for Visual Detection and Ranging, the world’s first optical radar system. This is now in service with military, paramilitary, security and Search and Rescue organisations worldwide, including the Royal Australian Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, Mexican Navy, Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), and many other allied deployments.
ABOUT SENTIENT VISION SYSTEMS
Sentient is a leading developer of Computer Vision and Artificial Intelligence software solutions for defence and civilian projects. Since 1999 the company has specialised in imagery analysis, building practical solutions that automatically detect and tracking small moving objects over land or small objects on the surface of the ocean. Actively used in the field of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), the solutions enhance situational awareness and support strategic decisions. For more information, visit www.sentientvision.com
ABOUT AEROVIRONMENT, INC. (AV)
AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) provides technology solutions at the intersection of robotics, sensors, software analytics and connectivity that deliver more actionable intelligence so you can Proceed with Certainty. Headquartered in Virginia, AeroVironment is a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems and serves defense, government and commercial customers. For more information, visit www.avinc.com
Photo credit: AeroVironment, Inc.
For further information please contact:
Mr Ryan Ilahi
Marketing Manager
Sentient Vision Systems
Tel: +61 (0)450 457 729
Email: RyanI@sentientvision.com