From Business Insider · Sinéad Baker · · 2m
Ukraine's drones learn to fly themselves
Ukrainian soldiers want autonomous drones that one operator can control many at once, freeing them from manual flying to focus on targeting and survival.
In brief
Ukrainian soldiers want autonomous drones that one operator can control many at once, freeing them from manual flying to focus on targeting and survival. Ukrainian defense companies are building AI and autonomous systems into drones so one operator can control multiple systems, responding to soldier requests to reduce…
Soldiers ask for help
Ukrainian soldiers want drones and robots that handle more flying and driving themselves, so one operator can oversee multiple systems instead of manually controlling each one.
Frontline Robotics responds
Mykyta Rozhkov, chief business development officer at Ukrainian defense company Frontline Robotics, says soldiers requested capability to have different robots controlled by one person and easier shifts for UAV pilots.
“How can you provide us with the capability to have different robots controlled by one person?”
Autonomy layer installed
Frontline developed software letting drones handle flight themselves, including traveling to and from areas with minimal input. A pilot can bring the system home with one button push.
“a pilot can bring the system home with a push of a button”
Linza three point zero
Frontline's latest Linza drone, released this year, has more onboard autonomy and can operate when GPS is unavailable because of Russian electronic warfare, reducing mental demand on soldiers.
Ukraine's AI ambition
Ukraine's defense ministry said in August that units were using more than seventy different systems powered by AI and computer vision technologies to strike enemy targets.
Swarms on the horizon
Achi, CEO of Ukrainian defense firm Ark Robotics, says a single pilot controlling many drones is a prerequisite for total drone warfare. Ark is developing systems allowing thousands of drones and robots to work together with minimal human intervention.
“you need these asymmetrical systems that allow you to work with multiple drones at the same time”
Humans stay in control
Ukraine's defense ministry said the final decision on target selection and engagement is made by a human operator. The system's level of autonomy is limited based on the potential cost of an error.
“the final decision to engage remains with a human”
Getting soldiers to safety
Rozhkov described the general trend as trying to get people outside of the danger zone. Ukraine is rapidly advancing autonomy to match Russia's volume and keep human soldiers farther from the fight.
“trying to get people outside of the danger zone”
What it means
Ukrainian defense companies are building AI and autonomous systems into drones so one operator can control multiple systems, responding to soldier requests to reduce workload and keep personnel safer.
