A year and a half ago, the Ukrainian company Sensorama joined forces with the American startup KEF Robotics. Founded in 2016 and based in Kyiv, Sensorama specializes in the development of virtual and augmented reality applications, 3D modeling, and 360° video production. KEF Robotics, launched in 2018 in the US, focuses on visual autonomy for aircraft. This strategic partnership birthed Blue Arrow, a pioneering venture dedicated to developing advanced software that empowers drones to execute fully autonomous missions.
While Blue Arrow has its headquarters in the US, its research and development operations remain firmly entrenched in Ukraine. This duality offers a unique blend of American funding opportunities and Ukrainian engineering talent, creating a fertile ground for innovation in UAV technology.
Maryna Tymchenko, Director of Partnerships and Operations at Blue Arrow, shared insights into the company’s cutting-edge technology, its collaboration with KEF Robotics, and ongoing fundraising efforts.
What is Blue Arrow?
At its core, Blue Arrow is focused on building software that enables drones to execute missions autonomously, minimizing human input. The vision is clear: achieve total autonomy in UAV operations, where a drone can detect and reach targets independently. Maryna emphasizes that current UAV operations typically require one pilot for each drone, limiting scalability due to the need for trained personnel.
The ambitious goal of Blue Arrow is to allow a single operator to manage numerous drones simultaneously. This involves creating a comprehensive system that incorporates various components—visual navigation, target recognition, and homing—transforming them from standalone features into a cohesive product. Presently, while visual navigation is highly developed, other components are still under active enhancement.
When and why did you create Blue Arrow?
The genesis of Blue Arrow emerged from a critical realization: GPS might be frequently unavailable in frontline scenarios. This prompted the team to search for relevant partners in the field, leading them to KEF Robotics, which specializes in visual navigation technology for UAVs, including military applications.
In a pivotal moment, KEF Robotics conducted its first field tests in Ukraine, confirming that visual navigation is crucial but insufficient alone. Sensorama’s experience in digital twins and XR-based training tools became instrumental in developing effective target recognition and drone software simulation.
Participation in the NATO–Ukraine Defense Innovators Forum further solidified their partnership when Blue Arrow won first place in the Automated Visual Guidance Hackathon. This achievement marked the beginning of a collaborative journey that has now flourished into a dynamic ongoing relationship.
Why launch in the US?
Opting for incorporation in the US primarily stems from the advantages of funding. The American market is more conducive to attracting investors, enabling Blue Arrow to secure essential capital for its ambitious projects. Though headquartered in the US, the research and development remains in Ukraine, leveraging the country’s wealth of engineering talent while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Moreover, the Ukrainian landscape allows for rapid testing and immediate feedback, crucial for refining their technology. Currently, Blue Arrow is focused on expanding its engineering team to speed up module production and enhance testing capabilities. The software development process for UAVs is inherently complex, requiring thorough integration of various components to function effectively in unpredictable real-world environments.
How does the technology work?
Blue Arrow’s innovative system is built upon two primary algorithms: Visual-Inertial Odometry (VIO) and Terrain-Relative Navigation (TRN). VIO acts as a fallback GPS, utilizing a downward-facing camera and inertial sensors to track landscape changes and drone movement, allowing estimation of its location even in areas without GPS.
TRN enhances this by utilizing preloaded terrain maps, allowing drones to compare real-time video inputs with these maps for precise navigation, even in conditions of electronic warfare. Due to its design, Blue Arrow’s drones are resilient against jamming and spoofing, relying solely on their onboard navigation systems, significantly reducing vulnerability to interference.
Currently, VIO allows for a 2% location error, while coupling it with TRN can narrow that down to within 10 meters, regardless of the distance a drone travels.
What are the biggest technical challenges?
Among the myriad challenges faced by Blue Arrow, the risk of reverse engineering stands out. Ensuring the security of their technology is paramount, as a breach could render their innovations useless if accessed by adversaries. This facet of their development is receiving diligent attention, as ensuring their technology remains secure is essential to their mission.
What’s next?
Currently, Blue Arrow is engaged with over 20 drone manufacturers and collaborates directly with military units, conducting tests at various training grounds. Every outcome and mission parameter is meticulously recorded and shared with their partners for continual improvement.
A crucial goal is the real-world combat deployment of their technology. Blue Arrow has designed its solutions using affordable components while actively testing their modules in targeted operations. They are finalizing pricing structures based on different mission types, from logistics to reconnaissance, ensuring their technology is adaptable and scalable for various applications.
With plans to enable simultaneous control of dozens or even hundreds of drones at minimal costs, Blue Arrow is also partnering with Swarmer, known for developing drone swarm control systems. This collaborative effort highlights the importance of visual navigation in future UAV applications.
In the competitive landscape, major players like DJI pose significant barriers; however, Blue Arrow distinguishes itself by focusing on modular, scalable solutions compatible with a diverse range of UAVs, rather than just ready-to-fly drones.
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