Sentient Vision Systems to provide ViDAR sensors for drones

Drone manufacturer InSitu has selected Sentient Vision Systems to provide software for ViDAR (Visual Detection and Ranging) sensors on UAVs.

The software will be installed on InSitu UAVs, beginning with the ScanEagle model. The software will be built into the ScanEagle's payload by Hood Technologies.

"ViDAR fits a modular slice on ScanEagle that comprises a large backplane digital video camera that continuously scans the ocean in a 180-degree arc in front of the air vehicle," a Sentient Vision news release said. "Sentient's ViDAR software then autonomously detects any object on the surface of the ocean, providing the ground control station with an image and location coordinate of each object detected in real time.

"The primary sensor can then be cross-cued to the object by simply clicking on the image. In demonstrations, ViDAR has autonomously detected a fishing vessel at 14 nautical miles, a fast boat at more than 9 nautical miles, and even the spout of a whale at 1.5 nautical miles from the aircraft."

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