The American company Auterion officially announced the successful development of the machine vision system named Skynode S, which is being delivered to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, where it has proven its real combat effectiveness. According to the company, the Skynode S is a mini-computer and flight controller built on cost-effective technologies and proprietary software.
"The software has already proven itself in combat missions in Ukraine, providing Ukrainian forces with advanced computer vision to counter and bypass the loss of GPS functions and radio frequency targeting in electronic warfare. It is the first to offer swarm control, fully autonomous flight, and resistance to interference. It provides unprecedented accuracy, increasing the probability of success from 20% to 90%," Auterion officially announced.
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The company also notes that it developed the Skynode S in collaboration with government and industry partners from the USA, the European Union, and Ukraine. It is worth mentioning that Auterion, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, USA, has R&D centers in Switzerland and Germany. Additionally, it should be noted that the company specializes in software and hardware solutions for drone automation rather than in the development of the drones themselves.
Additional details were voiced by the company's CEO, Lorenz Meier, to the American publication Breaking Defense. Specifically, he mentioned that the company has capabilities not only in the USA but also in Ukraine. Additionally, he demonstrated the Skynode S, which is a ready miniature board with a passive cooling system.
Furthermore, it is built on an open architecture, can be integrated into any drone, and can be easily upgraded and enhanced through contributions from other developers.
Lorenz Meier noted that the development took only six very intense months. However, the result is a fully operational and efficient solution capable of processing three-dimensional objects that may be camouflaged, partially obscured, in low-light conditions, or in motion or rotation. This capability is crucial for implementing the automatic targeting function by operators of drone-kamikazes.
Defense Express has already explained in detail what machine vision is, how it works, and its purpose. In essence, it involves creating a cheap, miniature, and straightforward self-guidance system for drones that neutralizes enemy electronic warfare and reduces dependence on operator skill. This is why the company's claimed 90% effectiveness in targeting with the Skynode S-equipped drone, compared to 20% without it, "in the hands" of the operator, is entirely realistic.
Auterion also reported that the Skynode S enables drones to navigate over significant distances in conditions where satellite navigation is unavailable. This is accomplished using an algorithm that compares the drone's visual perception of the terrain with high-resolution satellite maps.
It should be noted that information about the use of this technology by Ukrainian long-range drones, specifically this new generation DSMAC, was disclosed back in April of this year. This technology, combined with automatic target detection and tracking, fully explains the effectiveness of Ukrainian long-range drone strikes.
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