Fly4Future in Media & Publications

AI Awards 2024 know the winners. They go to disinformation warriors, flying robots and a digital army recruiter

The prestigious AI Awards, which highlight the most outstanding achievements in the field of artificial intelligence, were presented on 21 November, at the Vzlet in Vršovice. The only professional AI awards in the Czech Republic go to individuals, companies and organizations that have made a significant contribution to the development and use of this technology in the past year.

In the AI in Business category, Fly4Future won for building a unique know-how in the field of flying robots with on-board artificial intelligence. The company has completed the development of two world-unique flying robots (UAVs) and successfully launched them on the global market.

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Clients are fighting over drone hunters from CTU. The academic team has global ambitions, after Asia it is targeting the USA.

Translating academic work into business is uncommon, but Martin Saska’s team at CTU’s Faculty of Electrical Engineering is excelling. They developed a drone that quickly and safely captures hostile drones, primarily for airport, prison, and power plant defense. Collaborating with Eagle. one and CTU spinout Fly4Future, this “drone hunter” is now used by over a dozen clients. The latest model reaches speeds of up to 100 km/h and uses AI for autonomous navigation, catching intruders in a net rather than shooting them down—safer if explosives are involved. Though improvements in drone cooperation are needed, the team offers full support to clients who test the technology in real-world scenarios. The base price starts at CZK 2. 5 million. Most demand comes from Asia and the UAE’s airports, prisons, and border crossings. Plans for expansion into the US market were discussed during Saska’s September visit with President Petr Pavel; potential investments include establishing a Fly4Future branch in America or the UAE. While military applications exist for their “drone catcher,” Saska’s focus remains on civilian use. Through Fly4Future, they commercialize various innovations like firefighting drones developed after partnering with companies seeking solutions for high-rise fires. In September, they won the SPRIND Funke Fully Autonomous Flight competition against eight international teams at Germany’s Erding Air Base by developing a fully autonomous drone capable of navigating without GPS to retrieve objects under challenging conditions.

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Czechs invent a machine that “hunts” enemy drones.

The Czech Technical University (CTU) in Prague, along with Fly4Future and Eagle.One, has developed a drone to protect stadiums, critical infrastructure, and officials from airborne threats. This AI-driven drone can autonomously capture harmful drones. In a recent demonstration on Císařský ostrov in Prague, it successfully intercepted an intruder drone within a minute without human intervention. An operator uses an industrial camera to confirm the target before approving capture. Weighing 20 kilograms with over one-meter-long arms and eight propellers, the Czech Eagle.One flies over 100 km/h and can capture targets moving at speeds up to 70 km/h. It hunts drones weighing up to 20 kg at altitudes of several kilometers for up to 40 minutes, typically catching intruders within ten minutes. Unlike competitors that focus on stationary drones, this model captures moving targets using its advanced lidar system for obstacle detection. The drone features a powerful computer for automatic control and navigation. The net for capturing targets deploys mid-flight; if unsuccessful initially, it allows multiple attempts without losing control or needing a new net immediately. This system can counter hostile drones in protected spaces like airports and prisons while appealing to both organizations seeking tailored solutions and private individuals wanting privacy protection. Potential customers include stadiums and defense facilities since drones are often misused for smuggling or spying but are not primarily aimed at warfare. Researchers at CTU are exploring how multiple drones could coordinate using artificial intelligence for collective target capture.

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CTU introduced a robotic drone hunter protecting critical infrastructure.

The Eagle.One robotic system, developed by the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the Czech Technical University (CTU) in collaboration with Eagle.One and Fly4Future, can intercept hostile drones mid-air and safely land them. This AI-enhanced system aims to protect critical infrastructure such as airports, power plants, and prisons. Martin Saska, head of the development team, stated that Eagle. One features improved spatial perception and acceleration, enabling it to capture agile drones flying up to 100 km/h along unpredictable trajectories using an advanced sensor system. The AI allows for optimal trajectory planning without human input and can evaluate data from extensive simulations. It captures enemy drones using a net without risk of explosion—ideal for those carrying explosives—and supports unlimited captures of drones weighing up to 20 kg at several kilometers high. Eagle.One is immediately deployable from a mobile hangar with technology that detects suspicious objects, activating the drone within seconds. Interest in this system is global; current orders are expected to be fulfilled next year. Further development was discussed during Saska’s recent visit to the U.S. as part of a delegation led by Czech President Petr Pavel.

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Robotic dogs and drones as part of a security camera system? Axis and FEE CTU showed a glimpse into the future.

Security experts, Axis Communications and the Department of Cybernetics at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of CTU unveiled a groundbreaking integration of autonomous drones from Fly4future and Boston Dynamics’ Spot robotic dogs into an IP camera system. This innovative collaboration showcased a potential future direction in security technology, suggesting the use of autonomous patrolling drones and robotic dogs to protect objects. The Axis Demoshow was attended by around a hundred security managers and experts from major Czech companies and institutions. The highlight was the installation of an intelligent security camera system in Fly4Future drones and Spot robotic dogs, signaling that robotic drones are edging closer to actual deployment. Notably, the integration of AXIS cameras into Fly4Future drones revealed the compatibility with the opensource robotic operating system ROS, emphasizing the importance of seamless integration with video management software for effective drone deployments. The ability of Fly4Future drones to operate autonomously or in swarms, coupled with advanced video analytics software, offers a practical and efficient solution for enhancing security measures. This forward-thinking approach showcased at the Axis Demoshow demonstrates that the concept of utilizing autonomous drones and robotic dogs for security applications is not merely science fiction but a tangible reality that could transform security operations today.

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The drone will help foresters. With a special camera, it detects bark beetles at an early stage of tree infestation.

The innovative drone technology developed by Tereza Uhrová, a master’s student in the Cybernetics and Robotics programme, in the Multirobotic Systems group, in collaboration with Eurosecur and Fly4Future, is transforming forest management by detecting bark beetle infestations at an early stage. Through the use of specialized cameras and autonomous drones, the system can identify stressed trees, a common early sign of bark beetle infestation, with precision and efficiency. By combining cutting-edge technology with on-board intelligence, the drones can navigate through forests without relying on GPS, making them ideal for pinpointing infested trees quickly and accurately. This groundbreaking method not only streamlines the detection process but also enables foresters to take prompt action in treating or removing affected trees, ultimately safeguarding forest health and sustainability.

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Pilsen dronemakers are testing a new extinguishing drone, it should help firefighters in confined spaces.

Pilsen’s forward-thinking drone operators are at the forefront of testing a groundbreaking firefighting drone designed to assist firefighters in tackling localized fire outbreaks within confined spaces. Engineered by experts from the Czech Technical University and Fly4Future, the SIT Drones developed by the Information Technology Administration of the City of Pilsen are set to revolutionize firefighting operations in the Czech Republic. Equipped with a thermal camera for fire detection and specialized extinguishing cartridges, this innovative drone is a testament to Pilsen’s commitment to cutting-edge technology and proactive collaboration with the integrated rescue system.

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