Palladyne AI Corp. Awarded Contract from Air Force Research Laboratory to Migrate Palladyne™ Pilot Autonomous Drone Software to Next-Generation AI Computing Chipsets
Palladyne AI Corp. (NASDAQ: PDYN) has secured a new contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to adapt its Palladyne™ Pilot AI software platform to next-generation U.S.-made AI computing chipsets. The 26-month project will commence in early 2025.
The Pilot platform, based on the CLUTCHES framework, combines multi-sensor fusion with adaptive real-time sensor management for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It enables a network of collaborating unmanned systems and multi-modal sensors that self-orchestrate for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance applications.
The software currently operates on Nvidia and Qualcomm AI chipsets, and this expansion aims to make Pilot compatible with the majority of small drone platforms. AFRL reports that initial tests show promising results in reducing operational burden while improving mission effectiveness for Air Force drone operators.
Palladyne AI Corp. (NASDAQ: PDYN) ha ottenuto un nuovo contratto dal Laboratorio di Ricerca dell'Usaf (AFRL) per adattare la sua piattaforma software Palladyne™ Pilot AI ai chip AI di prossima generazione prodotti negli Stati Uniti. Il progetto di 26 mesi avrà inizio all'inizio del 2025.
La piattaforma Pilot, basata sul framework CLUTCHES, combina la fusione multi-sensore con la gestione adattativa dei sensori in tempo reale per veicoli aerei senza pilota (UAV). Permette a una rete di sistemi senza pilota e sensori multimodali di auto-organizzarsi per applicazioni di intelligence, sorveglianza e ricognizione.
Il software attualmente opera su chip AI di Nvidia e Qualcomm, e questa espansione mira a rendere Pilot compatibile con la maggior parte delle piattaforme di droni di piccole dimensioni. L'AFRL riporta che i test iniziali mostrano risultati promettenti nella riduzione del carico operativo, migliorando al contempo l'efficacia delle missioni per gli operatori di droni dell'Air Force.
Palladyne AI Corp. (NASDAQ: PDYN) ha asegurado un nuevo contrato del Laboratorio de Investigación de la Fuerza Aérea (AFRL) para adaptar su plataforma de software Palladyne™ Pilot AI a los chipsets de computación AI de próxima generación fabricados en EE. UU. El proyecto de 26 meses comenzará a principios de 2025.
La plataforma Pilot, basada en el marco CLUTCHES, combina la fusión de múltiples sensores con la gestión adaptativa de sensores en tiempo real para vehículos aéreos no tripulados (UAV). Permite una red de sistemas no tripulados y sensores multimodales que se auto-organizan para aplicaciones de inteligencia, vigilancia y reconocimiento.
El software actualmente opera en chipsets de AI de Nvidia y Qualcomm, y esta expansión tiene como objetivo hacer que Pilot sea compatible con la mayoría de las plataformas de drones pequeños. El AFRL informa que las pruebas iniciales muestran resultados prometedores en la reducción de la carga operativa, al tiempo que mejora la efectividad de las misiones para los operadores de drones de la Fuerza Aérea.
Palladyne AI Corp. (NASDAQ: PDYN)는 공군 연구실(AFRL)로부터 차세대 미국산 AI 반도체 칩셋에 Palladyne™ Pilot AI 소프트웨어 플랫폼을 적응시키기 위한 새로운 계약을 체결했습니다. 26개월 규모의 프로젝트는 2025년 초에 시작될 예정입니다.
Pilot 플랫폼은 CLUTCHES 프레임워크를 기반으로 하여 다중 센서 융합과 실시간 적응형 센서 관리를 결합하여 무인 항공기(UAV)를 제공합니다. 이는 자체적으로 조정되는 무인 시스템과 다중 모드 센서를 통해 정보 수집, 감시 및 정찰 적용을 위한 네트워크를 가능하게 합니다.
현재 소프트웨어는 Nvidia와 Qualcomm AI 반도체에서 운영되며, 이번 확장은 Pilot이 대부분의 소형 드론 플랫폼과 호환될 수 있도록 하는 것을 목표로 합니다. AFRL은 초기 테스트에서 작전 부담을 줄이는 동시에 공군 드론 운영자들의 임무 효과성을 향상시키는 유망한 결과를 보여주고 있다고 보고하고 있습니다.
Palladyne AI Corp. (NASDAQ: PDYN) a obtenu un nouveau contrat du Laboratoire de Recherche de l'Armée de l'Air (AFRL) pour adapter sa plateforme logicielle Palladyne™ Pilot AI aux chipsets de calcul AI de prochaine génération fabriqués aux États-Unis. Le projet de 26 mois commencera début 2025.
La plateforme Pilot, basée sur le cadre CLUTCHES, combine la fusion multi-capteurs avec la gestion adaptative des capteurs en temps réel pour les véhicules aériens sans pilote (UAV). Elle permet un réseau de systèmes sans pilote collaboratifs et de capteurs multimodaux qui s'auto-orchestre pour des applications de renseignement, de surveillance et de reconnaissance.
Le logiciel fonctionne actuellement sur des chipsets AI de Nvidia et Qualcomm, et cette expansion vise à rendre Pilot compatible avec la majorité des plateformes de petits drones. L'AFRL rapporte que les tests initiaux montrent des résultats prometteurs en réduisant la charge opérationnelle tout en améliorant l'efficacité des missions pour les opérateurs de drones de l'Armée de l'Air.
Palladyne AI Corp. (NASDAQ: PDYN) hat einen neuen Vertrag vom Forschungszentrum der Luftwaffe (AFRL) erhalten, um seine Palladyne™ Pilot AI Softwareplattform an die Chipsets für KI-Computing der nächsten Generation aus den USA anzupassen. Das 26-monatige Projekt beginnt Anfang 2025.
Die Pilot-Plattform basiert auf dem CLUTCHES-Framework und kombiniert Multisensorfusion mit adaptivem Echtzeit-Sensormanagement für unbemannte Luftfahrzeuge (UAVs). Sie ermöglicht ein Netzwerk von zusammenarbeitenden unbemannten Systemen und multimodalen Sensoren, die sich selbstständig orchestrieren für Anwendungen in den Bereichen Geheimdienst, Überwachung und Aufklärung.
Die Software wird derzeit auf Nvidia- und Qualcomm-KI-Chipsets betrieben, und diese Erweiterung zielt darauf ab, Pilot mit den meisten kleinen Drohnenplattformen kompatibel zu machen. Das AFRL berichtet, dass erste Tests vielversprechende Ergebnisse bei der Reduzierung der operativen Belastung zeigen und gleichzeitig die Effektivität der Missionen für die Drohnen Betreiber der Luftwaffe verbessern.
- Secured new contract with Air Force Research Laboratory
- Platform expansion to support next-generation U.S. made AI chipsets
- Current compatibility with major chipset manufacturers (Nvidia, Qualcomm)
- Initial tests showing positive results according to AFRL
- Project implementation delayed until early 2025
- Extended 26-month development timeline
Insights
The Air Force Research Laboratory contract represents a strategic expansion of Palladyne AI's military capabilities. The migration of the Pilot software to U.S.-made AI chipsets addresses critical national security concerns while expanding market reach. The 26-month timeline suggests a comprehensive development cycle with potential for follow-on contracts.
The CLUTCHES framework's ability to enable self-orchestrating drone networks through multi-sensor fusion represents a significant technological advantage. This capability is particularly valuable for military applications where reduced operator cognitive load and enhanced mission effectiveness are paramount. The endorsement from AFRL's Dr. Zulch validates the technology's military utility.
The expansion beyond Nvidia and Qualcomm chipsets positions Palladyne to capture a larger share of the rapidly growing military drone market. This diversification reduces dependency on specific chip manufacturers and aligns with DoD's push for supply chain security.
The technical architecture of Palladyne's Pilot platform, particularly its closed-loop system for real-time sensor management, represents sophisticated AI implementation. The ability to port this complex software across different AI chipset architectures demonstrates robust system design and scalability.
The multi-sensor fusion capability combined with adaptive real-time management is particularly noteworthy - think of it as giving drones a coordinated "hive mind" that can autonomously adjust to changing conditions. This level of autonomous coordination could significantly reduce the number of human operators needed per drone, potentially lowering operational costs while improving mission effectiveness.
In simpler terms: Imagine a group of drones that can think and work together like a team of players on a field, making split-second decisions without needing constant direction from a coach. This is what makes Palladyne's technology particularly valuable for defense applications.
Palladyne Pilot AI software platform provides closed-loop autonomous detection, tracking, and control for unmanned aerial vehicles
The Palladyne Pilot software platform is based on the Closed Loop Ubiquitous Tasking and Control of Heterogeneous Exploring Sensors (CLUTCHES) framework, which defines a novel AI structure that combines upstream multi-sensor fusion with adaptive real-time sensor management on individual unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platforms to facilitate shared situational awareness. Pilot has been designed to enable a network of collaborating unmanned systems and multi-modal sensors that self-orchestrate to provide superior capabilities for applications including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). This real-time sensor management requires a closed-loop system, a key feature of the Pilot platform.
“Our development work with AFRL on the Pilot AI software platform has been critical to evolving the technology to benefit our DoD customers,” said Ben Wolff, CEO, Palladyne AI. “By evolving Pilot to be able to operate on these next-generation AI chipsets, in addition to the AI chipsets from Nvidia and Qualcomm that we are already operating on, we believe we will have the opportunity to deliver the benefits of our enhanced autonomy Pilot platform to the vast majority of small drone platforms that will be deployed in the coming years.”
“Palladyne AI has already made significant progress by porting its Pilot software platform to some of the latest AI chipsets currently available. Initial tests of the Pilot software are demonstrating strong potential to reduce the operational and cognitive burden on the warfighter while substantially improving mission effectiveness,” said Dr. Peter Zulch, AFRL. “We believe that Pilot will offer our Air Force drone operators a powerful tool for improving tactical missions, and by funding the migration of Pilot onto new and emerging AI chipsets we hope to expand the universe of small UAV platforms on which Pilot will be available.”
For more information on Palladyne AI and its artificial intelligence software for robotic platforms, please visit www.palladyneai.com. For more information about AFRL, please visit www.afrl.af.mil.
About Palladyne AI Corp.
Palladyne AI Corp. (NASDAQ: PDYN) has developed an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) software platform poised to revolutionize the capabilities of robots, enabling them to observe, learn, reason, and act in a manner akin to human intelligence. Our AI/ML Software Platform empowers robots to perceive variations or changes in the real-world environment, enabling them to autonomously maneuver and manipulate objects accurately in response.
The Palladyne AI/ML Software Platform operates on the edge and dramatically reduces the significant effort required to program and deploy robots enabling industrial robots and collaborative robots (cobots) to quickly achieve autonomous capabilities even in dynamic and or complex environments. Designed to achieve precise results with minimal training time, limited data sets, and lower power requirements, compared to current solutions, Palladyne AI believes its software has wide application, including in industries such as automotive, aviation, construction, defense, general manufacturing, infrastructure inspection, logistics and warehousing. Its applicability extends beyond traditional robotics to include Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs), and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). Palladyne AI’s approach is expected to elevate the return on investment associated with a diverse range of machines that are fixed, fly, float or roll.
By enabling autonomy, reducing programming complexity and enhancing efficiency, we are paving the way for a future where machines can excel in tasks that were once considered beyond their reach. For more information, please visit www.palladyneai.com and connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/palladyneaicorp.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the future uses of the Palladyne IQ software by the Air Force Research Laboratory, including during Phase II of the contract, the benefits of the software to the Air Force Research Laboratory, the capabilities or future capabilities of Palladyne AI’s software platform and products generally, the benefits of the software platform and products and the industries that could benefit from them, the impact of the software platform and products on robotics and the applicability of the software platform to different kinds of machines (such as UAVs, UGVs and ROVs and different available industrial robots). Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Generally, statements that are not historical facts, including statements concerning possible or assumed future actions, business strategies, events, or results of operations, are forward-looking statements. These statements may be preceded by, followed by, or include the words “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “plans,” “scheduled,” “anticipates,” “intends” or “continue” or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual events, results, or performance to differ materially from those indicated by such statements. These forward-looking statements are based on Palladyne AI’s management’s current expectations and beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions concerning future events. However, there can be no assurance that the events, results, or trends identified in these forward-looking statements will occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Palladyne AI is not under any obligation and expressly disclaims any obligation, to update, alter or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.
Readers should carefully review the statements set forth in the reports which Palladyne AI has filed or will file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), in particular the risks and uncertainties set forth in the sections of those reports entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” for a description of risks facing Palladyne AI and that could cause actual events, results or performance to differ from those indicated in the forward-looking statements contained herein. The documents filed by Palladyne AI with the SEC may be obtained free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
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