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What is RONIN?

Westwood AI is pleased to present an overview of the R.O.N.I.N project, which introduces a forward-thinking, adaptable approach to evolving warfare capabilities. The primary objective of this initiative is to harness existing technologies and hardware to establish a scalable platform. This diverse platform will facilitate cost-effective, adaptable, and multi-domain systems that meet specific mission requirements without compromising reliability.

4 Phased Approach

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Our initiative also emphasizes adaptability, allowing for mission-specific customization within the Drone hub. Depending on the end user’s mission requirements, drones can be equipped with a diverse array of sensors (e.g., cameras, thermal sensors) and payloads (e.g., medical supplies, food provisions) pending the specific mission that is attempting to be accomplished. Due to the variety and multitude of drones which would be enabled in the Hubs, various cargo can also be attributed to drones to meet a specific need to often deliver lifesaving equipment in contested environments.  

Multi-Domain
Multi-Sensor

Based on insights gleaned from conflicts in the Eastern theater and the Middle East, we have recognized the efficacy of low-cost drones equipped with both kinetic and non-kinetic applications. Consequently, our proposal involves leveraging established 3D mapping LiDAR software and affordable sensor technologies (such as cameras, LiDAR, thermal sensors, etc.) coupled with Object Detecting Machine Learning software. This amalgamation enables automated multi-domain deployment of drones across aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic domains with an assortment of sensors and cargo configurations to meet specific mission needs.

Phase 1
Lidar Mapping

  • Aerial/Terrestrial: Utilizing off-the-shelf drone-mounted LiDAR scanning hardware to generate terrain views, 3D shapes, and advanced digital elevation models, ensuring drone functionality in GPS-contested areas.

  • Aquatic: Leveraging Aquatic 3D LiDAR mapping to penetrate depths up to 300 meters, providing detailed mapping of underwater domains at minimal cost.

  • Object Detection: Implementing leading-edge LiDAR technology for identifying static objects like buildings, roads, etc., to enhance mission planning effectiveness.

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Phase 2
Map Configuration

  • Sensor Configuration: Collaborating with customers to optimize static sensor coverage, leveraging a sensor-agnostic approach compatible with various technologies like Static Lidar scanners, Electro-Optical (EO), Infrared Sensors (IR), harmonic identification, among others.

Phase 3
Drone Hub

  • Drone Configuration: Leveraging the comprehensive 3D map and sensor coverage data to enable autonomous drone deployment with variable sensors (EO, IR, etc.) and cargo (medical supplies, equipment, etc.) even in non-GPS environments.

  • Non-GPS environments: Ensuring accurate and efficient drone deployments through metadata associated with Lidar scanning, overcoming reliance solely on GPS for flight control.

Phase 4
Mission Configuration

  • Mission configuration: Tailoring drone configurations based on mission requirements rather than fixating on a singular drone model, enhancing adaptability and effectiveness.

  • Scalability: Enabling continuous advancement aligned with evolving mission needs, be it scenarios for drone deployments, configurations of drone hub coverage, or other aspects, all aimed at customer-driven technological evolution.

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