Shield AI

Shield AI. It is an American defense technology company specializing in artificial intelligence for autonomous systems, founded in 2015. The company develops the Hivemind autonomy stack, which enables teams of aircraft and other platforms to operate intelligently in GPS-denied environments without remote pilots. Its core mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems, with its technology deployed in support of the United States Department of Defense and allied nations.

History

The company was established in 2015 by brothers Ryan Tseng and Brandon Tseng, along with Andrew Reiter, with an initial focus on security for smart home devices. The founders pivoted the company's direction toward national security after Brandon Tseng, a former U.S. Navy SEAL, identified a critical need for autonomous reconnaissance to reduce risk to infantry teams. Early development centered on creating AI pilots for small unmanned aerial vehicles, leading to the creation of the Hivemind autonomy stack. Significant early validation came through participation in programs with the Defense Innovation Unit and the United States Air Force. The company gained substantial public attention following its acquisition of the unmanned aircraft systems manufacturer Martin UAV in 2021, which brought the V-BAT platform into its portfolio.

Technology and products

The cornerstone of its technological portfolio is Hivemind, an artificial intelligence pilot that functions as a software as a service for autonomous operations. This system allows a team of diverse aircraft to execute missions in complex, communications-degraded settings by leveraging advanced computer vision, simultaneous localization and mapping, and reinforcement learning. Key hardware platforms that utilize Hivemind include the V-BAT, a vertical take-off and landing tail-sitter drone acquired from Martin UAV, and the Nova 2, a small quadcopter used for indoor reconnaissance. The company also develops swarming capabilities, enabling collaborative behavior among multiple autonomous systems. Its technology is designed to be platform-agnostic and is integrated with various sensors and payloads for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.

Applications and deployments

Its autonomous systems are primarily deployed for military and government applications, focusing on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance and force protection. The Nova 2 has been used by units within the United States Special Operations Command for indoor mapping and clearing operations in urban environments. The V-BAT platform, operating with the Hivemind AI, has been deployed in exercises with the United States Marine Corps and the United States Army for persistent surveillance and base security. The company's technology has been demonstrated in major United States Department of Defense exercises and experiments, including those conducted by the Defense Innovation Unit and the Air Force Research Laboratory. Internationally, its systems have been evaluated by allied nations such as the United Kingdom and partners within NATO.

Business and operations

The company operates as a privately held defense contractor headquartered in San Diego, with additional offices in Dallas, Washington, D.C., and Abu Dhabi. Its business model involves developing and selling integrated autonomous systems, as well as licensing its Hivemind autonomy software. A major strategic move was the 2021 acquisition of Martin UAV, which expanded its product line and manufacturing capabilities. The company engages in numerous contracts and cooperative research agreements with various branches of the United States Department of Defense, including the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, and U.S. Marine Corps. It also partners with other defense primes and technology firms to integrate its AI systems onto third-party platforms.

Leadership and funding

The company is led by co-founder Ryan Tseng, who serves as Chief Executive Officer, and co-founder Brandon Tseng, who serves as President. Its executive team includes veterans from the U.S. military, Silicon Valley, and the aerospace and defense industry. The company has raised significant venture capital from prominent firms, including Andreessen Horowitz, Breyer Capital, and Disruptive Technology Advisors. In 2021, it achieved unicorn status following a funding round led by Thomas Tull's Disruptive Technology Advisors, which valued the company at over $2.3 billion. Other notable investors include Snowpoint Ventures and Riot Ventures, with the company's total funding exceeding $700 million as of 2024.

Category:American companies established in 2015 Category:Artificial intelligence companies Category:Defense companies of the United States Category:Unmanned aerial vehicle manufacturers Category:Companies based in San Diego