Latest news with #Perceptra


Al Etihad
09-04-2025
- Science
- Al Etihad
Top institutions unveil groundbreaking tech at WCEMS 2025
10 Apr 2025 02:02 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)At the World Crisis & Emergency Management Summit 2025, two prominent institutions - Technology Innovation Institute (TII) and Khalifa University - showcased groundbreaking technologies aimed at enhancing security, safety, and operational resilience in emergency Eloy Roura, Senior Director at TII, elaborated on two of the institute's most ambitious projects. One supports navigation in challenging environments, while the other improves the efficiency of emergency responses through a unified search-and-rescue platform. Highly Advanced Navigation SystemThe first, the Perceptra system, is a highly advanced GPS-denied navigation model designed for environments where traditional GPS signals are unavailable. It is allows aerial navigation in GNSS-denied environments. This system is essential for operations in areas affected by jamming, obstructions, or natural phenomena that disrupt GPS signals, such as storms, smoke, or fog."The Perceptra is basically a model [for a] GPS-denied navigation system. It provides platforms with guidance under those conditions," Dr. Roura said. The system includes a camera, a companion board, and an inertial measurement unit (IMU). It works by using a preloaded map of the operating area and matching the images captured by its camera to the map."Even if the map does not have an updated geo-referenced version," Roura noted, "it uses the features that it sees to understand how much it has moved from the previously estimated position."This capability allows the system to function efficiently in unmapped or dynamically changing addition, the Perceptra system supports dead reckoning - or determining the position of an aircraft or vessel without the aid of celestial observations. "If it reaches an area where there's no visibility for whatever reason-clouds, smoke, sandstorm, or fog - it enables dead reckoning," Dr. Roura dead reckoning mode, the system continues to estimate the platform's position based on inertial visibility is restored, the system recalibrates itself to provide an accurate global position."It relocates itself and provides again a global position," he added, ensuring continuous navigation even in challenging environments. Search-and-rescue ToolThe other project is aimed at integrating aerial, ground, and marine systems into a unified search-and-rescue platform, said Dr. Roura. "We try to combine the three domains - aerial, ground, and marine - into a use case where we demonstrate how search and rescue can be done."The integration of these systems aims to improve the efficiency of emergency responses in varied unmanned aerial vehicles identify a target, smaller drones are dispatched to pinpoint the exact location, which is then relayed to a convoy of ground vehicles or marine systems for intervention."It does the intervention that it needs to do according to the situation," Roura stressed, illustrating the adaptability of this multi-domain approach. Flight Control Tech Moreover, Rahul Lakhawat, Director of Projects at TII's Secure Systems Research Centre, shared a comprehensive look at another integrated platform designed for secure, resilient operations across autonomous platform's centerpiece is Saluki, a technology that serves as both a flight controller and mission computer. Essentially, it's a high-security flight control technology for autonomous systems."Saluki can go on any UxV platform, which means it can be installed on a drone or a ground vehicle," Lakhawat said."It enables secure and resilient control of the role. So, if someone tries to hack the drone or do something malicious, it's not possible with Saluki on board."Lakhawat further explained that Saluki is complemented by a secure communications shield and a first responder system, which together ensure that the deployed systems remain safe from cyber threats and operate securely in any mission platform also integrates human operators in the field."In a manned-unmanned teaming scenario, a human first responder on the ground can coordinate with a drone in the sky," Lakhawat noted."The drone can send media back to the first responder, who sees it through smart glasses while continuing his task. It improves situational awareness in real time."This real-time collaboration between human responders and autonomous systems is critical for making informed decisions during emergencies. Monitoring DronesAt Khalifa University, Yaser Alesh, a research assistant, presented a project focused on improving drone oversight through the integration of Extended Reality (XR) technology. "We are presenting an XR integration platform that allows people like police officers and law enforcement officials to use smart glasses in the city to monitor drones more effectively and efficiently," Alesh and his team created a simulated city environment where drones are actively the simulation, officers wearing smart glasses can view real-time data about drones, including their flight paths, identification, and regulatory compliance status."This allows the officer to say what the drone is doing, whether it's compliant with regulations, and even predict its next move," Alesh said. This platform is designed to address the challenge of managing the growing number of drones in urban environments.


Trade Arabia
23-02-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
VentureOne, Adasi team up to integrate autonomous flight tech
As dual-use technologies increasingly drive economies of scale worldwide, Adasi, a leader in UAV system manufacturing, has announced their adoption of two advanced autonomous flight technologies by Abu Dhabi's VentureOne: Perceptra, a new cutting-edge GPS-less navigation technology, and Saluki, a high-security flight control technology for autonomous systems. These technologies, both developed by the Technology Innovation Institute, are designed to deliver secure, resilient operations in the most challenging environments. They have been optimized for UAV manufacturers, offering enhanced resilience, precision, and security for autonomous aerial operations, it stated. The agreement between VentureOne, Adasi, and TII was formalized at IDEX 2025, the Middle East's largest defense exhibition, at which Saluki and Perceptra were unveiled. Global Positioning System (GPS) technology has long been a fundamental pillar of navigation, supporting applications from everyday smartphone use to critical defense and military operations. However, this widespread reliance on GPS has exposed vulnerabilities that can be exploited through techniques like jamming and spoofing. Jamming occurs when signals on the same frequency overwhelm GPS receivers, preventing accurate location tracking, while spoofing involves transmitting counterfeit signals to deceive receivers into calculating incorrect positions or times. These vulnerabilities pose significant risks across sectors that depend on precise navigation, including autonomous drones, commercial aviation, and military aircraft. In defence and security, compromised GPS signals can impact mission success and personnel safety, while in aviation, navigation errors may cause flight path deviations and operational disruptions – reports of which have the aviation industry and international regulators such as IATA and European regulator EASA seeking urgent solutions for GPS interference, according to one Reuters report in 2024. For autonomous systems like drones and self-driving vehicles, the inability to maintain accurate positioning can create safety hazards, particularly in dynamic or high-risk environments, from aviation to defence. As the use of GPS-dependent systems continues to grow, the need for resilient, alternative navigation solutions has become increasingly critical. Perceptra and Saluki overcome many of today's numerous challenges with advanced vision-based navigation, delivering reliable, resilient performance. Dr Najwa Aaraj, CEO of TII, said: "Perceptra, with its GPS-less capabilities, and Saluki, with its sophisticated Zero Trust architecture, represent a significant leap in autonomous navigation with the potential to transform multiple sectors." "From supporting safe travel in commercial flights, search-and-rescue missions with precise navigation, to enabling efficient urban drone logistics for deliveries in densely populated cities, these technologies have broad real-world applications," noted Aaraj. "Their adaptability also makes them invaluable in defense, ensuring secure and resilient operations in even the most challenging environments. This collaboration reflects our commitment to developing advanced, dual-use technologies that serve both civilian and defense needs while positioning the UAE as a leader in next-generation autonomous systems," he added. Perceptra is a vision-based system that ensures reliable navigation without GPS, allowing aerial platforms to operate in GNSS-denied environments. It features visual relocking, low navigation errors, and easy integration across platforms for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare. Saluki is a secure, high-performance flight controller and mission computer with Zero Trust architecture. With PX4 compatibility, Gen AI capabilities, and 300 TOPS compute power, it supports multi-vehicle management for mission-critical defense applications. "At Adasi, we integrate only the most advanced, field-proven technologies to ensure our UAVs operate with unmatched precision, resilience, and security, even in the most contested environments," remarked its CEO Juma Al Kaabi. "Perceptra and Saluki provide exactly what next-generation UAVs require: secure, GPS-independent navigation and AI-powered mission control," he added. Reda Nidhakou, the Acting CEO of VentureOne, said: "We are dedicated to ensuring that cutting-edge research becomes reality to make a positive impact and transform industries."


Mid East Info
19-02-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
UAE Launches Next-Gen GPS-Less Navigation and Secure Flight Control to Strengthen Aviation Security - Middle East Business News and Information
VentureOne and ADASI Partner to Integrate Advanced Autonomous Flight Technologies Powered by TII – Perceptra and Saluki Unveiled at IDEX 2025. Abu Dhabi-UAE:February, 2025 – As dual-use technologies increasingly drive economies of scale worldwide, ADASI, a leader in UAV system manufacturing, has announced their adoption of two advanced autonomous flight technologies by Abu Dhabi's VentureOne: Perceptra, a new cutting-edge GPS-less navigation technology, and Saluki, a high-security flight control technology for autonomous systems. These technologies, both developed by the Technology Innovation Institute, are designed to deliver secure, resilient operations in the most challenging environments. They have been optimized for UAV manufacturers, offering enhanced resilience, precision, and security for autonomous aerial operations. The agreement between VentureOne, ADASI, and TII was formalized at IDEX 2025, the Middle East's largest defense exhibition, at which Saluki and Perceptra were unveiled. Global Positioning System (GPS) technology has long been a fundamental pillar of navigation, supporting applications from everyday smartphone use to critical defense and military operations. However, this widespread reliance on GPS has exposed vulnerabilities that can be exploited through techniques like jamming and spoofing. Jamming occurs when signals on the same frequency overwhelm GPS receivers, preventing accurate location tracking, while spoofing involves transmitting counterfeit signals to deceive receivers into calculating incorrect positions or times. These vulnerabilities pose significant risks across sectors that depend on precise navigation, including autonomous drones, commercial aviation, and military aircraft. In defense and security, compromised GPS signals can impact mission success and personnel safety, while in aviation, navigation errors may cause flight path deviations and operational disruptions – reports of which have the aviation industry and international regulators such as IATA and European regulator EASA seeking urgent solutions for GPS interference, according to one Reuters report in 2024. For autonomous systems like drones and self-driving vehicles, the inability to maintain accurate positioning can create safety hazards, particularly in dynamic or high-risk environments, from aviation to defense. As the use of GPS-dependent systems continues to grow, the need for resilient, alternative navigation solutions has become increasingly critical. Perceptra and Saluki overcome many of today's numerous challenges with advanced vision-based navigation, delivering reliable, resilient performance. Dr. Najwa Aaraj, CEO of TII, said, 'Perceptra, with its GPS-less capabilities, and Saluki, with its sophisticated Zero Trust architecture, represent a significant leap in autonomous navigation with the potential to transform multiple sectors. From supporting safe travel in commercial flights, search-and-rescue missions with precise navigation, to enabling efficient urban drone logistics for deliveries in densely populated cities, these technologies have broad real-world applications. Their adaptability also makes them invaluable in defense, ensuring secure and resilient operations in even the most challenging environments. This collaboration reflects our commitment to developing advanced, dual-use technologies that serve both civilian and defense needs while positioning the UAE as a leader in next-generation autonomous systems.' Perceptra is a vision-based system that ensures reliable navigation without GPS, allowing aerial platforms to operate in GNSS-denied environments. It features visual relocking, low navigation errors, and easy integration across platforms for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare. Saluki is a secure, high-performance flight controller and mission computer with Zero Trust architecture. With PX4 compatibility, Gen AI capabilities, and 300 TOPS compute power, it supports multi-vehicle management for mission-critical defense applications. 'At ADASI, we integrate only the most advanced, field-proven technologies to ensure our UAVs operate with unmatched precision, resilience, and security, even in the most contested environments,' said Juma Al Kaabi, the CEO of ADASI. 'Perceptra and Saluki provide exactly what next-generation UAVs require: secure, GPS-independent navigation and AI-powered mission control.' 'VentureOne is dedicated to ensuring that cutting-edge research becomes reality to make a positive impact and transform industries,' said Reda Nidhakou, the Acting CEO of VentureOne. 'Saluki and Perceptra are just two of many new innovations to come that will help ensure more resilient and safer drone operations in different sectors, starting with defense. We are working on a more comprehensive air autonomy and security portfolio that will play a central role in future drone operations.' Last week, TII announced its collaboration with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to support regulatory efforts by developing advanced methodologies for air corridor design. These methodologies aim to optimize flight routes and reduce the risk of aerial incidents in complex urban airspaces, ensuring safe and efficient navigation for both piloted and autonomous drone taxis. These efforts, alongside Perceptra and Saluki, reinforce Abu Dhabi's vision to lead in next-generation navigation and AI-powered autonomy. Both VentureOne and TII are part of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), which oversees Abu Dhabi's research and development ecosystem to advance transformative technologies with global impact. ADASI is part of the EDGE Group, the advanced technology and defense conglomerate. About VentureOne: VentureOne, the commercialization arm of Abu Dhabi's Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), bridges the gap between pioneering research and market-ready practical applications by delivering transformative solutions to partners and clients across the public and private sectors. It merges cutting-edge research with deep technical expertise, fostering innovation that enhances lives and generates meaningful impact.


Zawya
18-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
UAE launches next-gen GPS-less navigation and secure flight control to strengthen aviation security
Abu Dhabi-UAE – As dual-use technologies increasingly drive economies of scale worldwide, ADASI, a leader in UAV system manufacturing, has announced their adoption of two advanced autonomous flight technologies by Abu Dhabi's VentureOne: Perceptra, a new cutting-edge GPS-less navigation technology, and Saluki, a high-security flight control technology for autonomous systems. These technologies, both developed by the Technology Innovation Institute, are designed to deliver secure, resilient operations in the most challenging environments. They have been optimized for UAV manufacturers, offering enhanced resilience, precision, and security for autonomous aerial operations. The agreement between VentureOne, ADASI, and TII was formalized at IDEX 2025, the Middle East's largest defense exhibition, at which Saluki and Perceptra were unveiled. Global Positioning System (GPS) technology has long been a fundamental pillar of navigation, supporting applications from everyday smartphone use to critical defense and military operations. However, this widespread reliance on GPS has exposed vulnerabilities that can be exploited through techniques like jamming and spoofing. Jamming occurs when signals on the same frequency overwhelm GPS receivers, preventing accurate location tracking, while spoofing involves transmitting counterfeit signals to deceive receivers into calculating incorrect positions or times. These vulnerabilities pose significant risks across sectors that depend on precise navigation, including autonomous drones, commercial aviation, and military aircraft. In defense and security, compromised GPS signals can impact mission success and personnel safety, while in aviation, navigation errors may cause flight path deviations and operational disruptions – reports of which have the aviation industry and international regulators such as IATA and European regulator EASA seeking urgent solutions for GPS interference, according to one Reuters report in 2024. For autonomous systems like drones and self-driving vehicles, the inability to maintain accurate positioning can create safety hazards, particularly in dynamic or high-risk environments, from aviation to defense. As the use of GPS-dependent systems continues to grow, the need for resilient, alternative navigation solutions has become increasingly critical. Perceptra and Saluki overcome many of today's numerous challenges with advanced vision-based navigation, delivering reliable, resilient performance. Dr. Najwa Aaraj, CEO of TII, said, "Perceptra, with its GPS-less capabilities, and Saluki, with its sophisticated Zero Trust architecture, represent a significant leap in autonomous navigation with the potential to transform multiple sectors. From supporting safe travel in commercial flights, search-and-rescue missions with precise navigation, to enabling efficient urban drone logistics for deliveries in densely populated cities, these technologies have broad real-world applications. Their adaptability also makes them invaluable in defense, ensuring secure and resilient operations in even the most challenging environments. This collaboration reflects our commitment to developing advanced, dual-use technologies that serve both civilian and defense needs while positioning the UAE as a leader in next-generation autonomous systems." Perceptra is a vision-based system that ensures reliable navigation without GPS, allowing aerial platforms to operate in GNSS-denied environments. It features visual relocking, low navigation errors, and easy integration across platforms for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare. Saluki is a secure, high-performance flight controller and mission computer with Zero Trust architecture. With PX4 compatibility, Gen AI capabilities, and 300 TOPS compute power, it supports multi-vehicle management for mission-critical defense applications. "At ADASI, we integrate only the most advanced, field-proven technologies to ensure our UAVs operate with unmatched precision, resilience, and security, even in the most contested environments,' said Juma Al Kaabi, the CEO of ADASI. 'Perceptra and Saluki provide exactly what next-generation UAVs require: secure, GPS-independent navigation and AI-powered mission control.' 'VentureOne is dedicated to ensuring that cutting-edge research becomes reality to make a positive impact and transform industries,' said Reda Nidhakou, the Acting CEO of VentureOne. 'Saluki and Perceptra are just two of many new innovations to come that will help ensure more resilient and safer drone operations in different sectors, starting with defense. We are working on a more comprehensive air autonomy and security portfolio that will play a central role in future drone operations.' Last week, TII announced its collaboration with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to support regulatory efforts by developing advanced methodologies for air corridor design. These methodologies aim to optimize flight routes and reduce the risk of aerial incidents in complex urban airspaces, ensuring safe and efficient navigation for both piloted and autonomous drone taxis. These efforts, alongside Perceptra and Saluki, reinforce Abu Dhabi's vision to lead in next-generation navigation and AI-powered autonomy. Both VentureOne and TII are part of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), which oversees Abu Dhabi's research and development ecosystem to advance transformative technologies with global impact. ADASI is part of the EDGE Group, the advanced technology and defense conglomerate. About VentureOne VentureOne, the commercialization arm of Abu Dhabi's Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), bridges the gap between pioneering research and market-ready practical applications by delivering transformative solutions to partners and clients across the public and private sectors. It merges cutting-edge research with deep technical expertise, fostering innovation that enhances lives and generates meaningful impact. Connect with us on LinkedIn: Media contacts: communications@