Initial design and concept testing is scheduled for completion before the end of the September quarter.
Tech venture firm Strategic Elements (ASX:SOR) continues to break new ground in autonomous security vehicles (ASVs) with its fully-owned subsidiary Stealth Technologies.
The company confirmed this morning that Stealth has been commissioned to design and construct an autonomous drone carrying vehicle, in collaboration with the Defence Science Technology Group (DSTG) (part of the Australian Department of Defence) and the University of Western Australia.
The vehicle will be designed with the capacity to automate detection and sensing of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) agents used in modern warfare.
Upon construction, Stealth will then provide a live demonstration of the vehicle’s capacity to personnel from the DSTG and the Australian Army.
The group will then investigate manufacturing and production facilities for the vehicle in Western Australia.
SOR said the work will open opportunities for both Stealth and the DSTG to assess the potential of the technology to address other defence force priorities such as resupply, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
Defence capability
The development of an autonomous vehicle for potential use by the Australian Defence Force marks the next step in Stealth’s production pipeline, following the successful deployment of its market-leading Perimeter Security focused ASV in partnership with global engineering giant Honeywell.
In May, Stealth completed Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) for the ASV, after its deployment for live operations WA’s Eastern Goldfields correctional facility.
The company will now explore further distribution and commercialisation channels for the use of its ASV technology in perimeter security with Honeywell.
In that context, its latest project with the Department of Defence is evidence of the regard Stealth is held in by key decision makers.
The initial design for both the autonomous vehicle and the drone launch/land system is expected to be completed before the end of the September quarter, SOR said.
Project specifications
The DSTG, UWA and the WA Defence Science Centre have committed to provide $350,000 of cash and in-kind services to the collaboration.
Stealth Technologies will invest approximately $350,000 to develop the project.
“Under the funding agreement Stealth Technologies retains 100% of the IP and associated commercialisation rights for CBRN and other defence force related applications,” SOR said.
The end result will be an Autonomous CBRN vehicle with navigation provided by Stealth Autodrive Hardware.
Proprietary Stealth software will also be deployed for the application of sensor fusion and computer vision, as well as AI & neural networks.
The vehicle will also be equipped with hatch doors that enable drones customised by Stealth to autonomously launch and carry out CBRN detection missions, before landing back on board and sending data back to a mission control centre.
“I am proud of our Stealth team, the AxV Autonomous Platform is gaining significant credibility and trust amongst some very serious players looking for autonomous solutions,” SOR Managing Director Charles Murphy said.
“We see significant commercial opportunities to build its value across multiple sectors such as security, defence, mining and logistics”.
This article was developed in collaboration with Strategic Elements, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.
This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.