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
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
Software integration services for vision-based navigation
Architecture review, benchtop testing, open-loop and closed-loop flight validation, and customer handoff for software-only deployments.
Attachable navigation payload integration
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.
Field testing and flight demonstration support
Flight test planning, flight readiness reviews, pilot mentorship, fleet management, and customer-facing demonstrations and training.
Custom R&D and algorithm development
Development of computer vision, SLAM, GNC, and ML solutions tailored to customer platform requirements and constrained compute environments.
Software integration services for vision-based navigation
Architecture review, benchtop testing, open-loop and closed-loop flight validation, and customer handoff for software-only deployments.
Attachable navigation payload integration
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.
Field testing and flight demonstration support
Flight test planning, flight readiness reviews, pilot mentorship, fleet management, and customer-facing demonstrations and training.
Custom R&D and algorithm development
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