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2025-01-16
The battlefield is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and drones are at the forefront of this transformation. From surveillance to combat, these unmanned systems are reshaping military strategies, reducing risks to soldiers, and enhancing operational efficiency. But according to Rubi Liani, co-founder and CTO of XTEND, this is only the beginning. At the Calcalist and Bank Leumi Tech TLV conference, Liani shared insights into how autonomous drone technology is revolutionizing warfare and what the future holds for these advanced systems.
Drones in Modern Warfare: A Game-Changer
Drones have become indispensable in modern military operations, offering a unique combination of precision, versatility, and safety. Liani emphasized their impact, particularly in high-risk scenarios like urban warfare, which he described as a “Sisyphean scenario” due to its complexity and danger. Drones, he explained, provide a solution by performing missions that keep soldiers out of harmâs way while maintaining operational effectiveness.
XTENDâs robotic operating system, XOS, is designed to simplify drone operations, reducing the cognitive load on operators. “Our system allows operators to focus on the mission rather than the complexities of piloting,” Liani said. This innovation has made first-person view (FPV) drones more accessible and effective in war efforts, as seen in recent conflicts.
Scaling Drone Operations: One Operator, Multiple Drones
One of the most significant advancements in drone technology is the ability to scale operations. Liani highlighted how a single operator can now control multiple drones, significantly enhancing efficiency. For example, XTEND developed a mission-oriented drone for border protection that can survey, detect threats, and even deploy an attack drone autonomouslyâall controlled by one operator.
The Missing Link: An App Store for Robots
Despite the rapid advancements, Liani pointed out a critical gap in the robotics ecosystem: the lack of a unified platform for developing and deploying new functionalities. “Every robot has layersâa mechanical platform, computing, and an operating system. But thereâs no equivalent of an app store for robots,” he explained.
To address this, XTEND is leveraging artificial intelligence to create modular apps for drones. These apps, similar to those on smartphones, can be integrated into drones to enhance their capabilities. For instance, XTEND has developed apps for identifying and tracking individuals, detecting anomalies, and even enabling throw-to-launch control.
Generative AI and the Future of Drone Autonomy
Liani also revealed how generative AI, like ChatGPT, is being used to operate drones. “We demonstrated how an app based on ChatGPT can control a drone,” he said. This innovation opens up new possibilities for developers and partners to create apps that make drones smarter and more autonomous.
XTENDâs Vision: An App Store for Robots
Looking ahead, Liani outlined XTENDâs vision for an app store for robots. This platform will allow companies to build and deploy new functionalities, empowering drones to perform increasingly advanced tasks. “Our app store for robots will transform the role of drones on the battlefield,” he concluded.
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What Undercode Say:
The integration of drones into modern warfare marks a pivotal shift in military strategy and technology. As Rubi Liani highlighted, drones are no longer just tools for surveillance or targeted strikesâthey are becoming autonomous systems capable of performing complex missions with minimal human intervention. This evolution is driven by advancements in AI, robotics, and modular software development, which are collectively transforming drones into versatile, intelligent machines.
One of the most compelling aspects of XTENDâs approach is its focus on simplifying drone operations. By reducing the cognitive load on operators, XOS enables soldiers to focus on strategic objectives rather than the technicalities of piloting. This is particularly crucial in high-stakes environments like urban warfare, where split-second decisions can mean the difference between success and failure.
The concept of scaling drone operations is another game-changer. Allowing a single operator to control multiple drones not only enhances efficiency but also reduces the need for extensive manpower. This is especially relevant in border protection and large-scale surveillance operations, where covering vast areas quickly and effectively is essential.
However, the most groundbreaking aspect of XTENDâs vision is the development of an app store for robots. This idea addresses a significant gap in the robotics ecosystem by providing a unified platform for innovation. Just as smartphone app stores revolutionized mobile technology, a robot app store could democratize access to advanced functionalities, enabling developers worldwide to contribute to the evolution of drone technology.
The use of generative AI in drone operations is another exciting development. By integrating AI models like ChatGPT, drones can perform tasks with greater autonomy and adaptability. This not only enhances their capabilities but also opens up new possibilities for human-machine collaboration.
In conclusion, the future of drones in warfare is not just about incremental improvementsâitâs about redefining their role entirely. As XTEND and other innovators continue to push the boundaries of what drones can do, we can expect to see even more transformative changes on the battlefield. From autonomous swarms to AI-driven decision-making, the possibilities are endless. The question is no longer whether drones will shape the future of warfare, but how far their potential can be realized.
References:
Reported By: Calcalistech.com
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