Vizgard, a London-based SME, has developed a real-time visual AI system called FortifAI, designed to automate complex aspects of drone operations. The technology, which received funding from UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) and technical expertise from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), is being explored for application in UK Policing's drone and counter-drone operations.
FortifAI integrates into existing defence and security camera infrastructure across land, air, and sea. It uses AI and machine learning to reduce the cognitive burden on human operators by automating detection, tracking, and threat identification from multiple visual streams. The system includes AI for obstacle avoidance on police drones, a low-power computer for secure data processing, and ground-based cameras to scan for other aerial objects.
Since its initial engagement with UKDI, Vizgard has expanded from five to 20 employees. The company secured £1.5 million in venture capital funding in early 2025 and is part of NATO DIANA’s 2026 cohort for autonomous and unmanned technologies.