Anduril Acquires Klas to Enhance AI-Powered Edge Computing for Military Applications

Anduril is working on the difficult AI-related task of real-time edge computing | TechCrunch

Anduril announced its ninth acquisition on Monday with the purchase of Dublin's Klas, makers of ruggedized edge computing equipment for the military and first-responders. Anduril wouldn't reveal financial details of the deal, and the purchase is subject to regulatory approval, but the company did say that Klas employs 150 people. Relatedly, on Monday Anduril also announced a new product called Menace-T. We'll give the company points for the interesting product name, especially for a device that's really just a bundle of compute/network connectivity, rather than, say, a fantasy-style broadsword. (Compare the name Menace to Lockheed Martin's C2BMC, the name for its Command, Control, Battle Management & Communications products.) Klas' flagship product, known as Voyager, is the ruggedized family of compute and networking systems that Anduril had already been using in its other Menace command center products. Voyager had also already been integrated with Anduril's flagship Lattice software. Lattice brings sensors and AI to devices to perform tasks like object identification. But while most of us envision a portable command system being the size of a truck -- which many are -- Menace-T fits into two carry cases that can be set up by one person in minutes, the company says. Its goal is to bring edge computing and communications to off-grid and/or inhospitable environments. Anduril says it's already being used in military ground vehicles and maritime vessels. One interesting use case for Menace-T is compute/communications support for the military's Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) VR headsets. The IVAS project was initially awarded to Microsoft in 2018 after it pitched an idea of developing ruggedized HoloLens headsets for soldiers. The project was awarded an initial $21.9 billion budget. But after years of technical struggles, Anduril took control of the troubled contract in February -- although Microsoft remains a cloud partner. Lattice had already been added to Microsoft's IVAS headsets, bringing computer vision AI that helped the headset detect, track, and classify objects. Now Anduril thinks that the Klas technology that powers its Menace-T product can solve some of IVAS's other historic problems, like reliable data processing. With IVAS, "there are scenarios where those soldiers need to communicate with the tactical edge to send data, to receive data, to task autonomous systems, and that's a place where the Klas technology can help," Tom Keane, SVP of Engineering, said at a press conference. "Klas has already been supplying technology to IVAS for several years in that context. So we expect to do more there." Beyond Anduril's military objectives, there are a host of other computer vision situations that are not practical until more powerful edge computing becomes available. This ranges from automotive, to industrial -- or even areas like pollution monitoring. While Anduril is clearly focusing on military and related fields like law enforcement -- with all the rhetoric that implies -- should it solve the edge computing issue for IVAS, there are at least as many commercial possibilities for the tech. Anduril hasn't ruled out one day pursuing those as well. "The technology and products for Klas have many use cases: military, national security, law enforcement, autonomy and more. Anduril, together with our partners, will continue to support customers from a wide array of use cases," Keane told TechCrunch.

Anduril to acquire Ireland's Klas to bolster AI warfare systems

May 5 (Reuters) - AI-powered defense startup Anduril Industries on Monday said it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Ireland-based tactical communications systems maker Klas. Anduril, along with software maker Palantir (PLTR.O), opens new tab and Elon Musk's SpaceX, has emerged as frontrunners to win a crucial part of President Donald Trump's "Golden Dome" missile defense shield, Reuters reported last month citing people familiar with the matter. The deal, the terms of which were not disclosed and is subject to regulatory approvals, aims to strengthen the defense technology firm's autonomous warfare systems with Klas's hardware. Klas manufactures compact computers and internet equipment that enable soldiers to communicate and control drones, even in environments lacking electricity and cellphone signals. Anduril, which is backed by venture capital heavyweights, will integrate Klas' hardware into its AI-powered software platform Lattice, the "central brain" of its AI-powered autonomous systems. Lattice synthesizes data from sensors of various unmanned systems to provide a real-time battlefield overview, facilitating collaboration between machines and humans. Klas, which has 150 employees, is expected to continue operating from its facilities in Ireland and the U.S., as part of the deal, with plans to expand manufacturing capacity to meet increased demand. This marks the ninth deal by Anduril since it was established in 2017. Reuters previously reported that the company was in talks for a new funding round that could increase its valuation to $28 billion, according to sources. Reporting by Mike Stone in Washington and Abhinav Parmar in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab Suggested Topics:Artificial Intelligence Abhinav Parmar Thomson Reuters Abhinav writes stories across the U.S. Manufacturing file with a focus on the Transportation sector. When not chasing deadlines, Abhinav enjoys exploring global cuisines and trekking through the countryside.