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The growing use of drones in both military and civilian sectors faces a significant hurdle: the need for highly skilled operators who undergo extensive and costly training. Flying drones for complex missions, especially in dense urban environments or changing conditions, demands a high level of expertise that acts as a barrier to wider adoption of the technology.
Now, an Israeli-founded company, Xtend, has developed a groundbreaking solution to this challenge and has recently received a $1.5 billion investment in their merger with JFB. The company has created an AI-powered operating system (OS), called XOS, designed to dramatically simplify the control and operation of drones. The system uses virtual reality (VR) to create an intuitive and easy-to-learn operating experience, allowing even inexperienced users to perform complex tasks with high precision.
The technology enables a single operator to control multiple drones simultaneously. Operators use VR goggles and a simple, single-hand controller, which makes the interface similar to a video game. This approach significantly lowers the learning curve and allows organizations to train operators quickly. Another key advantage is that the system is hardware-agnostic and can be installed on a wide range of drones from different manufacturers.
The system has proven defense applications. It has been in operational use by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for several years and has been utilized in various scenarios, including intercepting aerial threats. These capabilities highlight its potential in defense, border security, and counter-terrorism missions where reaction speed and precision are critical.
This development marks a significant advancement in human-machine interfaces, making advanced drone technology more accessible and useful. It enables not only defense forces but also public safety bodies and infrastructure companies to leverage drone capabilities more effectively and economically than ever before.
