Autonomy for the World: V-BAT
This blog is part of a series of case studies highlighting the unique challenges and accomplishments of integrating Hivemind on each platform it has flown. Each installment delves into the technical innovations, collaborative efforts, and mission successes that define our work and our teams. The increasing complexity of modern defense environments demands that unmanned […]
Faster and Cheaper: Building Scalable Autonomy for Complex Missions
Developing autonomy software for defense and complex applications has traditionally been a monumental effort—one that demands not only time and resources but also a team of highly specialized experts. At Shield AI, we’ve focused on transforming this model by building re-usable and scalable autonomy that minimizes the need for constant rewrites, accelerates development time, and […]
The Critical Role of Perception in Autonomous Systems
As defense and aerospace industries increasingly adopt autonomous systems, the demand for advanced, next-level autonomous solutions—such as adaptive, cognitive, and self-learning capabilities—continues to grow. These systems unlock critical tactical and operational advantages. At the heart of such autonomy lies a robust perception stack, which enables on-the-edge decision-making by seamlessly integrating sensors, algorithms, and data processing […]
From Concept to Combat: How Hivemind SDK Powers Next-Gen Autonomy
At Shield AI, our mission is clear: to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems. It’s an ambitious goal, and achieving it requires efficiency and scale that surpasses traditional approaches to autonomy development. Over the last few years, we’ve proven what’s possible with real-world applications of AI-driven autonomy across various platforms and combat scenarios. […]
Work at Shield AI, Build Autonomy for Jets… and Maybe Even Fly in One!
Working at the intersection of cutting-edge AI, autonomy, and robotics in a fast-paced, rapidly growing tech company is an engineer’s dream come true. Solving the most challenging engineering problems on a mission that matters, there are only a handful of companies in the world that offer such a rare combination. Tesla and SpaceX come to […]
SpaceX’s Starlink Satellite and Starshield Chief Engineer, Armor Harris, Joins Shield AI
From another company’s Slack: “…a big meeting in 2018 with Starlink in absolute shambles. Elon asks if anyone at the table can do a better job. A 24-year-old Armor Harris raises his hand. Elon gives him the job. Immediately made a director of all Starlink bus engineering. Absolutely crushes it for the next 6 years.” […]
Revolutionizing V-BAT Operations: Navigating Autonomy in Single and Team Missions
With Shobhit Srivastava In an age where technology is redefining our skies, how do we ensure that our autonomous V-BATs not only fly solo but also work seamlessly in teams? In this conversation, Shobhit discusses the intricacies behind the technology that empower these intelligent aircraft to operate autonomously, whether alone or in collaboration. https://shieldai.canto.com/direct/video/vlgcdogpul71b0f63fo4kujr0v/ZZH1Z6B1pFAGbV_l0oq8hYUvMTs/original?content-type=video%2Fx-m4v&name=Detterence+Requirements.mp4 Q: […]
Production Speed and Scale to Deliver Intelligent, Affordable Mass
“The factory is the machine that builds the machine.” -Elon Musk The Pentagon’s recently-announced $1 billion “Replicator” program – dubbed the “generational challenge to American society” by Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks – is aimed squarely at countering China’s numerical edge by leveraging attritable, intelligent mass to tip the balance in the United States’ favor. […]
Generative AI Builds Autonomy for Defense
How Generative AI Will Enable Warfighters, Not Engineers, to Create Autonomy and Asset Mission Packages Imminently Scene Setter – Somewhere in the Pacific, circa 2028 The above scenario represents an achievable aimpoint for Shield AI that we have been working towards since the first papers on large language models were published. After reading those papers […]
AI Engineering and the Ethics of War
Jim Carlson is Shield AI’s General Counsel. Previously he was a software engineer, product manager, entrepreneur, and Marine Corps attack helicopter pilot having completed 100+ combat flights. He holds a JD, MBA, and BA from Stanford University. My eight-year-old daughter’s favorite movie is Top Gun 2: Maverick. I’m not sure if her love for the […]
