KEF Robotics and Sensorama Lab Secure Grant from Brave1 to Enhance Vision-Based Navigation for Ukrainian Military Drones
Pittsburgh, PA & Kyiv, Ukraine – August 28, 2024 – Sensorama Lab, a cutting-edge technology firm from Kyiv and KEF Robotics, a Pittsburgh-based leader in navigation have jointly received a $25,000 grant from Brave1, an initiative aimed at supporting innovative defense technology. The grant will fund the development low-cost payloads designed to provide vision-based navigation for Ukrainian military drones operating in GPS-denied and highly contested territories.
These innovative payloads are poised to significantly enhance the operational capabilities of Ukrainian drones on the front lines. KEF’s navigation software, Tailwind, has already
demonstrated its effectiveness, having been successfully
deployed on over 30 different aircraft across both the
United States and Ukraine. Notably, the technology has proven
resilient under jamming and spoofing on ranges in Ukraine.
Tailwind software leverages advanced computer vision and
sensor fusion technologies to ensure reliable operation in both
daytime and nighttime conditions, with or without maps, and
across various altitudes and speeds. By mimicking a GPS signal
to the autopilot, the software provides global positioning
coordinates, heading, and velocity measurements. This allows
for precise navigation and guidance, even in GPS-denied
environments, enhancing the operational capabilities of
Ukrainian military drones.
“We are excited and honored to receive this grant from Brave1,
which will significantly propel our mission to advance navigation solutions for Ukrainian military drones,” said Fraser Kitchell, CEO of KEF Robotics. “Our partnership with Sensorama Lab allowed us to adapt to the battlefield with rapid speed, with the Sensorama team conducting near-daily flight tests to prepare for critical military missions and leading integrations with Ukraine’s top UAV manufacturers.”
The partnership between KEF Robotics and Sensorama Lab has been in place for nearly a year, building a strong foundation for innovation and success. This grant is not the first time the two companies have secured funding together; they previously collaborated and won the Unmanned Aerial System Automated Visual Guidance Hackathon, hosted by NATO and the U.S. Department of Defense's Defense Innovation Unit (DIU).
“Our joint efforts with KEF Robotics have yielded cutting-edge solutions for modern warfare,” said Sergii Tereshchenko, CEO of Sensorama Lab. “This latest project is a testament to our shared commitment to providing the Ukrainian military with the most advanced technology available.”
GPS spoofing initiated midway through the flight. Aircraft continues to fly its mission (blue) while the GPS goes haywire (green).
KEF and Sensorama teams take First Place at the Automated Visual Guidance Hackathon at the AGH University of Krakow, as part of the NATO-Ukraine Defense Innovators Forum in Kraków, Poland, June 4-6, 2024.
Once development is complete, the teams will conduct a demonstration for Brave1 and appropriate stakeholders. Additionally, the new payloads will undergo field testing with partner units on the front lines, ensuring that they meet the high standards required for operational deployment.
About Sensorama Lab: Sensorama Lab is a software development company based in Kyiv, Ukraine. Established in 2017, the company has provided XR training applications, 360 video and other digital products to clients like McDonalds, Toyota, EY, Ferrexpo, and Servier. Since 2023 the company has also provided VR training for defense and software for autonomous missions for UAVs.
About KEF Robotics: KEF Robotics provides state-of-the-art autonomy software to fly aircraft without a human pilot. A computer vision company at its core, KEF enables aircraft to operate in day and nighttime without GPS in uncooperative environments. Our mission is to improve the safety and reliability of aircraft and expand their range and utility.
