Gradiant’s third spin-off, Sense Aeronautics a technology transfer success story
Startup Sense Aeronautics develops AI-based video analytics technology that enables more efficient and safer drone operations.
The project is supported by the Ignicia Programme of the Galician Innovation Agency of the Regional Government of Galicia
The new Gradiant startup, Sense Aeronautics, specialised in video analytics for drones, was presented as a success story this morning in Santiago de Compostela. This is the Gradiant technology centre’s third spin-off, from which it inherits, evolves and brings to market machine vision technology that facilitates more secure and profitable unmanned operations.
The project is supported by the Ignicia Programme of the Galician Innovation Agency of the Regional Government of Galicia (GAIN), for the development of complete technologies ready for use by industry .
“Gradiant is proud to have seen the birth of this third spin-off, reinforcing our commitment to develop R&D that solves real problems, making a firm commitment and launching it to the market through a new technology-based company that creates highly skilled jobs,” says Luis Pérez Freire, Executive Director of Gradiant. This project also highlights “the essential role of technology centres in the maturation of deeptech technologies and their transfer”, he adds.
Intelligent video analysis
Intelligent analysis of the video available on drones, and in particular the application of artificial intelligence strategies, are particularly suited to solve some of the main challenges faced by unmanned aerial operations. Obstacle detection for more autonomous navigation or automated inspections and surveillance are key applications for the future of drone services, and these are the focus of Sense Aeronautics’ first products.
In the words of Fernando Gago, CEO of Sense Aeronautics “it’s very satisfying to participate in a project like this and to continue moving forward to bring technology to the market that improves existing services”. “Sense Aeronautics is a spin-off with its own technology, designed to enable greater autonomy in air operations, and oriented from the outset towards a very promising international market,” he concluded.
The infrastructure was initially designed as a system (camera and processor) on board the aircraft but now allows real-time service on the cloud (without specific on-board hardware) for scenarios with guaranteed connectivity.
The technology on which Sense Aeronautics is based, and which it inherits from the Gradiant technology centre, was recognised in 2020 by the Drone-vs-Bird Detection Challenge for its high and accurate capabilities to detect and identify drones and other objects in airspace.
Sense Aeronautics was recently elected among 4,500 applications from 125 countries around the world as one of the 100 finalists at South Summit Madrid 2023, one of the most important events in Spain for the presentation of innovative projects of emerging companies.
Previous Gradiant Success Stories
Gradiant’s first spin-off was Alice Biometrics, launched in 2019 with the aim of developing a self-developed, artificial intelligence-based remote identity verification solution. Both Sense Aeronautics and Alice Biometrics are promoted through the Ignicia Programme run by the Galician Innovation Agency (GAIN) of the Xunta de Galicia, for the development of complete and ready-to-use technologies for industry.
Another major milestone for the technology centre was the birth of Antexia Technologies, Gradiant’s second spin-off, which began to be developed internally in 2015, based on anti-drone technology.
Since 2008, Gradiant has been involved in 38 projects developing video analytics and sensor technology for drones. Some of the most important of those include the Haramain project, for which Gradiant has provided software that helps monitor the high-speed railway line between Mecca and Medina (Saudi Arabia). Also of note is the collaboration with NATO for maritime surveillance on board its research vessels using video analysis technology developed by Gradiant.
