A human guided drone operating system is one that allows an operator using virtual reality (VR) technology and AI to operate multiple drones or robots easily – and intuitively.   The Israeli Defense Ministry has awarded an exclusive multi-year, $20 million contract to XTEND to develop and deliver an systems that will enable operators to control dozens of drones simultaneously.

XTEND is the developer of XOS, a human-guided autonomous operating system.  “The new joint project with MAFAT and the Israeli Ministry of Directorate of Defense Research & Development, will see XOS enable the remote, safe, and intuitive operation of dozens of human-guided semi-autonomous drones simultaneously, utilizing the latest virtual reality, edge processing and AI technology,” says the press release.  “XOS will allow XTEND’s drones to be deployed remotely by military units in various scenarios precisely, intuitively, and immersively.”

“We’re witnessing a revolution on the modern battlefield,” says official source, at the IDF. “Working with XTEND over the last three years, we have already been able to field systems that are now in daily use, and we are confident that this new program will provide a tremendous leap in our operational capabilities. Putting the best of civilian technology into the hands of our soldiers. One of the greatest challenges for a program office working with cutting-edge technologies is to find the right industry partners. Along with very few other vendors, we see XTEND as such a partner.”

XTEND’s new contract with Israel’s Ministry of Defense is the latest in over 20 major contracts secured by the company in the last three years, including a multi-million-dollar contract with the U.S. Department of Defense, which will see XTEND’s technology enabling US military drone operators to interactively operate multiple smart machines from a remote, safe distance, with minimal training.

While the military is providing major funding to receive the system, XOS is easily programmable and configurable to suit different needs outside defense, as Aviv Shapira, co-founder, and CEO at XTEND, explains: “Scalable, affordable, and infinitely flexible, XOS’s unique operating system allows humans to connect and interact with drones, robots, vehicles, smart devices, and smart machines remotely, safely, and intuitively. Letting almost anyone to control multiple remote machines simultaneously – using advanced VR technology, on top of an AI layer. Alongside defense, XOS is providing a new way for public safety, inspection and homeland security professionals to interact with machines virtually in various civilian scenarios.”