KEF Robotics, Inc.
KEF Robotics develops vision-based autonomy software and integration services to enable unmanned aircraft to navigate and operate without GPS. The company focuses on computer-vision navigation algorithms (including visual-inertial odometry and map-based terrain matching), payload and sensor integration, flight-test and field-deployment support, and partnerships with commercial and defense organizations. Founded in Pittsburgh in 2018, KEF operates a development and test facility in Pittsburgh and has expanded operations internationally.
Industries
N/A
Nr. of Employees
small (1-50)
Products
Vision-based navigation software
A camera-driven navigation software stack that outputs timestamped position, velocity, and quality metrics to autopilots, enabling GPS-free flight for short- and long-range missions.
Attachable navigation hardware payload
A low SWaP-C payload that integrates mechanically and electrically with aircraft, providing a nadir-mounted sensor suite and onboard compute to serve as a GPS alternative.
Vision-based navigation software
A camera-driven navigation software stack that outputs timestamped position, velocity, and quality metrics to autopilots, enabling GPS-free flight for short- and long-range missions.
Attachable navigation hardware payload
A low SWaP-C payload that integrates mechanically and electrically with aircraft, providing a nadir-mounted sensor suite and onboard compute to serve as a GPS alternative.
Services
Architecture review, benchtop testing, open-loop and closed-loop flight validation, and customer handoff for software-only deployments.
Mechanical and electrical integration of a stand-alone navigation payload with flight-controller interface and power, plus on-site validation to enable GPS-alternative navigation.
Flight test planning, flight readiness reviews, pilot mentorship, fleet management, and customer-facing demonstrations and training.
Development of computer vision, SLAM, GNC, and ML solutions tailored to customer platform requirements and constrained compute environments.
Architecture review, benchtop testing, open-loop and closed-loop flight validation, and customer handoff for software-only deployments.
Mechanical and electrical integration of a stand-alone navigation payload with flight-controller interface and power, plus on-site validation to enable GPS-alternative navigation.
Flight test planning, flight readiness reviews, pilot mentorship, fleet management, and customer-facing demonstrations and training.
Development of computer vision, SLAM, GNC, and ML solutions tailored to customer platform requirements and constrained compute environments.
Expertise Areas
- Visual autonomy for aircraft
- Visual-inertial odometry (VIO)
- Terrain-relative navigation and map-matching
- SLAM and state estimation
Key Technologies
- Visual-inertial odometry (VIO)
- Terrain-relative navigation (map matching)
- Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM)
- State estimation
News & Updates
Company anniversary event held at the company warehouse with staff and guests.
External news article referenced on the company site related to AI and drone autonomy.
External Forbes piece referenced on the company site relating to defense technology and mobility.
Press content describing award to support Army Futures Command demonstrations and 10x dismounted infantry platoon efforts.
Founded in Pittsburgh in 2018; finalist in a global autonomy competition in 2018 leading to early NASA and DoD contracts.
Company anniversary event held at the company warehouse with staff and guests.
External news article referenced on the company site related to AI and drone autonomy.
External Forbes piece referenced on the company site relating to defense technology and mobility.
Press content describing award to support Army Futures Command demonstrations and 10x dismounted infantry platoon efforts.
Founded in Pittsburgh in 2018; finalist in a global autonomy competition in 2018 leading to early NASA and DoD contracts.