US-based advanced video technology group SightLine Applications has acquired Brisbane’s Athena AI, a specialist in AI-enabled computer vision and decision support for the military, in a major step forward for the business founded by young entrepreneur Stephen Bornstein.
Athena AI is part of Bornstein’s Cyborg Dynamics Engineering group which was founded in 2017 to deliver high tech engineering projects focused on robotics and autonomy.
SightLine Applications, which is headquartered in Oregon and is backed by Artemis Capital Partners, plans to integrate Athena AI’s advanced capabilities into its core image processing platform with the acquisition representing an expansion of the group into Australia.
SightLine says the push into Australia mirrors the strategic defence focus by the US on its Indo-Pacific Command capabilities and positions the company to support the “shared AI technology goals of longstanding allied nations – United States and Australia – as set forth in AUKUS Pillar 2”.
“The SightLine team is thrilled to announce the acquisition of Athena AI, as it perfectly aligns with SightLine’s vision to be the proven leader in sensor processing technologies that enable mission success and autonomy,” says Jon Atwood, the SightLine CEO.
“In addition to broadening our product portfolio, we look forward to delivering high-value feature and functionality improvements to our customers as they pursue advanced autonomy and accelerated decision support.
“By uniting with the talented Athena team, we are building an organisation with complementary strengths to meet emerging defence priorities and evolving end user requirements with agility and application expertise – in order to drive the next phase of SightLine’s growth.”
Financial details of the acquisition have not been disclosed, but Bornstein who is the company’s managing director and is a former Brisbane Young Entrepreneur Award finalist, has been appointed chief product officer at SightLine Applications.
Athena AI develops vision-based AI systems and trained models to enhance real-time situational awareness that enables quicker and more effective decision-making in mission critical defence applications. These include the fields of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; counter-uncrewed aerial systems; fire control; mission planning and battlefield management.
The company has worked with the likes of Airbus Helicopters and ASX-listed Xtek (ASX: XTE) with its vision-based AI systems for warfare environments and first responders.
“The Athena AI team is excited about this next stage of our journey, partnering with SightLine to deepen access in the US market, leveraging industry leading video processing technologies and enabling next generation features for our customers,” says Bornstein.
“We look forward to being able to support key US customers with a stronger presence from the SightLine team as well as the synergies in technology that the integrated product line will now be able to achieve.”
Bornstein, a commissioned Army reserves officer within the Royal Australian Infantry Corps, established Cyborg Dynamics Engineering and Athena AI after an extensive career that included positions at Airbus, Rocket Lab and BAE Systems working on new development programs as a design engineer.
Athena AI is said to provide military forces with “unmatched decision support capability utilising state of the art AI vision toolbox, geospatial AI for terrain analysis, advanced effects modelling and integrated rules of engagement considerations”.
Athena AI is one of the only vision-based AI systems on the market that combines AI computer vision, AI enabled decision support and display of the AI information in an optimised user interface to enhance decision speed and accuracy without preventing biases.
“By integrating Athena AI's field-proven, vision-based AI expertise and trained models with SightLine's industry-leading video processing capabilities, we’re enhancing real-time situational awareness, enabling quick decision-making, and accelerating our ability to deliver next-gen features for mission-critical defence operations,” says SightLine Applications.
The US company develops on-board video processing solutions that deliver key mission-enabling technology in gimbal, unmanned aerial systems, unmanned ground vehicle and pan-tilt zoom electro-optical platforms.
The company was founded in 2007 and has a base of more than 50,000 installs and licences.
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