Shield AI

Shield AI employs machine learning and artificial intelligence to develop defense software and tools. It developed Nova, an autonomous quadcopter drone, and Hivemind, its autonomy and artificial intelligence stack in 2015. This software helps drones and aircraft maneuver autonomously in GPS- and communication-degraded environments. Its products are used for reconnaissance in close-quarters combat and solving problems like room-clearing and fatal funnel. Nova is an autonomous quadcopter drone categorized as a UAS that runs using lidar technology and can navigate in GPS-agnostic environments.

When used in military combat missions, the drone can enter a hostile building and send its photos and maps to a unit of soldiers to help them better navigate it. Nova and Hivemind have since been used by the US Special Operations Command for reconnaissance and combat operations. According to WIRED’s Elliot Ackerman, this was likely the first time an AI-powered drone was being used for defense purposes in US military history. The Wall Street Journal called it “the first autonomous robot of its kind used in combat”. In 2021, the company released Nova 2.

INNOVATION

AI pilots will revolutionize battlefields and commercial aviation at a scale greater than the self-driving movement reshaping our highways.

HIVEMIND

More than just preset behaviors & waypoints. Like a human pilot, Hivemind reads and reacts to the battlefield, and does not require GPS, waypoints

Ryan Tseng

Ryan Tseng is the co-founder and CEO of Shield AI. Under his leadership, Shield AI