Lantronix Inc. and Safe Pro Group Inc. have entered into a strategic partnership that will combine Safe Pro’s Object Threat Detection (SPOTD) AI algorithms with Lantronix’s Qualcomm‑based Open‑Q™ System‑on‑Module (SOM) platforms. The collaboration will embed SPOTD models into Lantronix’s Open‑Q 5165RB SOM, a production‑ready module built on the Qualcomm Dragonwing QRB5165 SoC that delivers up to 15 TOPS of AI performance and runs entirely on‑device, eliminating the need for cloud connectivity.
The integrated solution delivers real‑time, on‑device threat detection for drones and unmanned systems. By running SPOTD directly on the Open‑Q 5165RB, the platform can identify landmines, improvised explosive devices, and other high‑risk objects in contested environments with sub‑second latency. The partnership also plans to channel SPOTD outputs to the U.S. Army’s Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK) through Lantronix secure gateways, creating a seamless detection‑to‑decision loop for battlefield operators.
The first high‑profile application of the joint technology is the Red Cat Holding Teal Black Widow quadcopter, selected for the U.S. Army’s Short‑Range Reconnaissance (SRR) program. Embedding the SPOTD‑enabled Open‑Q SOM into the Black Widow will give the Army instant, autonomous threat awareness on its unmanned platforms, improving mission resilience and reducing the risk to human operators.
Strategically, the partnership accelerates Lantronix’s platform transformation agenda. By adding a high‑margin, software‑driven AI capability to its hardware portfolio, Lantronix can generate recurring revenue from licensing and support services while deepening its footprint in the defense drone market, which is projected to reach $57.8 billion by 2030. The collaboration also positions Lantronix against larger industrial IoT players by offering a turnkey, defense‑grade edge‑AI solution that can be rapidly deployed in new programs.
Saleel Awsare, President and CEO of Lantronix, said the partnership “further extends our vision of delivering AI‑enabled threat detection directly at the edge, enabling autonomous platforms to make instant, life‑saving decisions without relying on cloud connectivity.” Dan Erdberg, Chairman of Safe Pro Group, added that the alliance “leverages Lantronix’s proven experience in defense contracts to scale our proprietary computer‑vision technology, creating immediate synergies for both companies.”
The partnership opens a new revenue stream for Lantronix that combines hardware sales, software licensing, and ongoing support, all of which are expected to carry higher margins than Lantronix’s traditional connectivity products. With the defense drone market growing rapidly and federal funding remaining robust, the collaboration is poised to generate multi‑year, high‑margin growth opportunities for both companies.
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