ZEGS announces Air Force SBIR Phase I contract to deploy AI-based threat detection on indoor drones
PHILADELPHIA, August 10, 2023 – ZE Government Solutions (ZEGS), a wholly owned subsidiary of AI-based gun detection leader ZeroEyes, today announced that it has been selected by AFWERX for a SBIR Phase I contract focused on threat detection using indoor drones to investigate its potential to fill capability gaps in the Department of the Air Force (DAF).
The integrated solution will combine ZEGS’ AI-based object detection video analytics with confined space unmanned aircraft system (UAS) platforms. This will proactively provide operators and force protection teams with crucial situational awareness, enabling them to rapidly respond to threats in indoor and confined locations that are not suitable for traditional UAS platforms.
The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) process by accelerating the small business experience through a faster proposal to award timelines, changing the pool of potential applicants by expanding opportunities to small business and losing bureaucratic overhead by continually implementing process improvement changes in contract execution.
The DAF began offering 'The Open Topic' SBIR/STTR program in 2018 which expanded the range of innovations the DAF funded and now in August 2023, ZEGS will continue its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America.
“Aerial footage from a UAS system can be a valuable asset when assessing a threatening situation,” said Mike Lahiff, CEO and co-founder of ZeroEyes, parent company of ZEGS. “These platforms, especially when equipped with advanced technology like our proactive AI-based gun detection solution, can provide actionable intelligence before a dangerous incident occurs and improve military personnel’s decision making.”
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.
