The increasing use of drones in the UK has ushered in new challenges and opportunities, particularly regarding safety and security. As drone technology advances, it not only aids in monitoring crowds and identifying potential threats but can also be exploited by malicious entities. This duality has made it imperative for authorities to enhance their capabilities in detecting adversarial threats while efficiently utilising drone technology.
Empowering Drone Operations with Vizgard’s Solutions
Vizgard, a London-based small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) founded by former Royal Navy submariner Alex Kehoe, has dedicated the past five years to developing innovative software that addresses the complexities of drone operations. With the support of funding from UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) and expertise from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), Vizgard has focused on enhancing police drone operations, particularly in contexts where visual line of sight is not feasible.
The company’s flagship product, FortifAI, is an advanced real-time visual AI system that integrates seamlessly with existing defence and security camera networks across various domains, including land, air, and maritime. By leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning, FortifAI significantly alleviates the cognitive load on operators, automating the detection, tracking, and identification of threats across multiple visual data streams. The technology encompasses three primary features:
- AI capabilities aboard police drones to facilitate obstacle avoidance and navigation.
- A low-power computer installed near the camera to ensure data security without requiring an internet connection.
- Ground-based steerable cameras designed to scan the skies for aerial objects and follow up on alerts from external radar and radio frequency sensors.
Transformative Developments through UKDI Support
Vizgard has benefited from several rounds of funding from UKDI, with their Security Open Call project proving to be particularly transformative. “We had to completely re-architect the software,” explains Alex Kehoe, CEO of Vizgard. “Initially, FortifAI 2.0 was limited to processing a single camera stream for one drone. This project required us to enhance the system’s capabilities to manage multiple streams concurrently, which was a substantial challenge. However, UKDI funding provided us with the necessary resources to execute this effectively.”
The outcome was FortifAI 2.0, a robust, scalable platform now capable of managing over 100 simultaneous camera streams. This significant upgrade was made possible by UKDI’s timely support, which came at a pivotal moment when the technology showed considerable potential but needed investment to become operationally viable.
“UKDI awarded us our first commercial contract in 2021, recognising our potential when others had not,” Alex recalls. “This project involved conducting sea trials on the Royal Navy’s uncrewed test submarine, marking the first real-world application of our AI. We successfully integrated radio tracking with visual AI to identify vessels concealing their identities and demonstrated automatic tracking of fast-moving boats. This early validation opened doors for collaboration with key players in coastal security.”
Frontline Applications and Future Prospects
The rapid progression of Vizgard’s technology from prototype to an essential tool for frontline operations has attracted interest from UK Policing, who are investigating its application for both drone and counter-drone operations. The system not only provides automated visual tracking for users’ own drones but also continuously scans the skies for other aerial entities, a tactical advantage in operational environments where human observers may overlook critical details.
“Operators face an overwhelming amount of real-time visual sensor data,” Alex notes. “Even the most adept and attentive operator may not focus on the right camera feed at the right moment. Our technology helps operators identify when they need to concentrate on specific incidents.” This success epitomises the objectives of UKDI funding, which aims to foster innovations that deliver tangible benefits to end users. Since its inception, Vizgard has expanded from a five-person team to a workforce of 20.
Looking ahead, Vizgard’s ambitions remain robust. They recently secured £1.5 million in venture capital funding, enabling the development of UnifAI, a machine learning operations platform that accelerates AI model improvements from weeks to days, making it accessible even for non-technical users. Furthermore, they are exporting their technology through a Defence Innovation Unit (DIU) contract for field testing with the US Marines.
In addition, Vizgard has been selected to join NATO DIANA’s competitive 2026 cohort, becoming one of only 150 companies chosen from over 3,500 applicants. Domestically, UKDI’s backing has facilitated partnerships with Dstl to advance edge-based AI that aids quadcopter drones in identifying unexploded ordnance during automated ISR missions.
“Collaborating with UKDI and Dstl has been outstanding,” states Alex. “The funding is entirely grant-based, the application process is rigorous yet reasonable, and the projects focus on addressing genuine end-user challenges. For an SME like ours, this support has been pivotal in accelerating our research and development and connecting us with potential end users both during and after the project.”
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