California-based Shield AI announced on April 4 that it will acquire Australian company Sentient Vision Systems and establish Shield AI Australia to expand its market presence. The two companies have collaborated on developing a ViDAR-enabled wide area motion imagery payload called Sentient Observer, expected to fly this year.
Sentient’s ViDAR is an AI-powered sensor that detects and classifies targets in imagery it collects. The company has been working to integrate ViDAR with Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy package for improved performance.
Shield AI President Brandon Tseng highlighted the importance of the Sentient Observer in meeting the Department of Defense’s surveillance needs, emphasizing the non-reliance on GPS or communication links. The companies aim to provide a low-cost, low-risk solution using ViDAR and Hivemind AI pilot to enable unmanned aircraft fleet collaboration in patrolling areas.
Shield AI acquired V-BAT group 3 unmanned aerial vehicle in 2021 and plans to utilize ViDAR and Hivemind on this platform. The collaboration aligns with AUKUS Pillar 2, focused on cutting-edge technologies to support operations in the Indo-Pacific region.
The companies did not disclose the acquisition value and have been part of efforts to reduce traditional barriers to tech-sharing under AUKUS Pillar 2.
