Ukrainian sappers employing U.S.-developed AI technology

That’s according to a report by Deutsche Welle, seen by Ukrinform.

“First, the drone makes up to a thousand photos on the ground before the AI technology analyzes the images, establishing the type of explosive objects and their exact location,” putting the info on a digital map, the report explains.

“It would take five to six hours for a human to do the mapping but an algorithm needs 15 to 20 minutes to perform the task,” one sapper told DW.

Spotlight technology is interoperable with images taken by any drone system, the report notes, adding that the AI-powered software works best with images taken from an altitude of up to 10 meters.

Meanwhile, sappers are able to control the mapping mission while staying kilometers away from the mine zone.

This is especially critical given that some mines are equipped with movement sensors so sappers can get hurt even when approaching it.

According to Fred Polk, international projects coordinator at Safe Pro, “Right now, we are using AI to identify the ordnance and to categorize it. And we also want AI to identify the fighting position, the whole that the soldiers dug that the mine was next to.”

As early as this spring, Ukrainian military sappers will start identifying mines with the help of AI already on the frontline.

Photo: SSTS