AFWERX Awards ASYLON Contract for Robotic Military Working Dogs

by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian M. Crosby

AFWERX has awarded leading robotic security solutions provider ASYLON Inc. a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract to leverage TRL9 commercial DroneDog security robot system for the augmentation of Military Working Dogs (MWD).

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ASYLON’s DroneDog is a high-endurance, agile, and durable quadruped uncrewed ground vehicle (Q-UGV) built to automate ground-based security patrols. Utilizing Boston Dynamics’ Spot Ⓡ robot and ASYLON’s PupPack, DogHouse, and DroneIQ Software, the system has patrolled over 10,000 miles for commercial clients. DroneDog features live video monitoring, remote teleoperation, daytime/nighttime cameras, and automated charging, using advanced robotics to make perimeter security easier. The AFWERX contract will explore the integration of advanced sensor technology and AI/ML technologies onto the existing ASYLON DroneDog system in order to improve gate guard procedures. Some of these integrations include sniffing technologies for Explosives & Narcotics, License Plate Recognition Software, and Facial Recognition.

“This award presents a tremendous opportunity for Asylon to validate a significant problem set with detection dogs for both defense and commercial use-cases,” said Chief Revenue Officer Michael Quiroga. “If proven successful, these integrations would open a completely new market for our DroneDog system to enhance detection dog use-cases around Air Force Bases and commercial facilities.”

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Ian attended Dominican University of California, where he received a BA in English in 2019. With a lifelong passion for writing and storytelling and a keen interest in technology, he is now contributing to DroneLife as a staff writer.