BigTech to Develop Drone Detection and Control System

Localization of Integrated Control System Including LiDAR and Camera Sensors

BigTech, a domestic defense company, has decided to develop an integrated control system capable of detecting North Korean drones.

On the 18th, BigTech announced that it had been selected as the lead research institution for the project titled "Localization Development of Integrated Control System for High-Resolution 3D Lidar and Device Development" as part of the Tech-Bridge commercialization technology development project. The project is overseen by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, with a development period of two years and a budget of approximately 1 billion KRW.

BigTech will receive technology transfer of video-lidar integrated object recognition technology from the Korea Electronics Technology Institute (KETI) through the Tech-Bridge platform. Lidar (photo) refers to radar using light. Soldiers can identify objects ahead using radar, cameras, and lidar. However, radar has difficulty distinguishing the shape of objects, and cameras have limitations in measuring distance. Lidar was developed to address these issues.

BigTech plans to localize the integrated control system, including lidar and camera sensors, by receiving technology transfer from KETI. Once the control system is developed, it will enable easy detection of drones not only at key defense facilities but also in forward areas. Additionally, it has high utility value as it can be mounted on warships or combat vehicles.

BigTech has confidence in developing the integrated control system, as it already possesses core technologies for military lidar that operates even at minus 40 degrees Celsius and long-range precision lidar for detecting drones in three-dimensional coordinates. Furthermore, it plans to develop lidar for turbulence detection and navigation assistance, which are key components of next-generation urban air mobility (UAM) and advanced air mobility (AAM), the next-generation urban air transportation systems.