World’s First Sentinent ViDAR Optical Sensors tested Successfully on Uncrewed Aerial Systems with US Marine Corps

The AI-enabled ViDAR (Visual Detection and Ranging) sensor edge solution from Sentient Vision Systems has completed a rigorous assessment program for the US Marine Corps (USMC) that included ground and test flights on Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).

 

 

 

 

The successful Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT) project was officially confirmed during Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's official visit to the United States, when he met with Sentient's newly hired CEO Mark Palmer at a reception in Washington DC.

 

In 2022, the US Navy NAVAIR PMA 263 (Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems program office) specified project goals that included executing an FCT project assessing Sentient's ViDAR payload for USMC specialized missions in broad area maritime conditions.

 

With the success of the FCT project, the team will be able to improve application integration and operationalize the VIDAR payload with the USMC in the field. FCTs are one route to become a Program of Record with the US Department of Defence.

 

Sentient's ViDAR, created in Melbourne, Australia, is the world's first optical sensor powered by AI and edge computing to recognize and identify objects in wide-area motion footage.ViDAR has been demonstrated up to Sea State 6 in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions as well as search and rescue missions.

 

ViDAR's integration validates the technology's low SWaP (size, weight, and power) form factor and broad working envelope, which may be deployed on tiny, Group 2 UAS to give exceptional long-endurance imaging capabilities in disputed situations across the world.

 

"This achievement demonstrated the strength of our ongoing collaboration to drive innovation in AI-enabled edge solutions. "Real-time data learning improves detection and identification to improve situational awareness. "I believe Sentient's pedigree in AI computer vision and deep learning, deployed on powerful yet lightweight modular systems, is the edge needed in successful ISR missions," said Sentient CEO Mark Palmer, who was part of the top-level delegation during the DC visit with Damien Tyrrell, Sentient's Regional Director.