REGINA — Saskatchewan Polytechnic is advancing Canada’s defence and security capabilities with new federal support for research in autonomous drone systems. Through this investment, Sask Polytech’s Digital Integration Centre of Excellence (DICE) will receive $277,000 from PrairiesCan to develop and test a low cost, multi agent artificial intelligence drone system. The project will contribute to Canada’s sovereign defence by advancing a domestically developed uncrewed aerial system solution.
“Through our Digital Integration Centre of Excellence, we are well positioned to share expertise in digital innovation, artificial intelligence and machine learning to support the Canadian defence sector,” says Dr. Larry Rosia, Sask Polytech president and CEO. “This investment strengthens our ability to develop the talent and technology needed to protect Canada’s security and sovereignty. We appreciate this exceptional support from PrairiesCan and their investment in the DICE autonomous command and control drone project.”
The project will develop a low-cost system using first person view drones equipped with AI to intercept unauthorized UAVs. Research will begin with computer simulations to design and test the AI software. A command-and-control agent will then be created to analyze radar data, detect threats and assign drones to intercept them.
DICE researchers will integrate the AI software with drone hardware, followed by multi drone testing to validate the system’s ability to coordinate and adapt in real time. Field trials will demonstrate how an operator can deploy and supervise multiple autonomous drones simultaneously.
Upon completion, DICE will license the technology to industry partners to support future commercialization.
This initiative supports PrairiesCan’s priority of strengthening Canada’s sovereign defence capabilities while helping Saskatchewan grow as a hub for drone technology, advanced manufacturing and high skill employment.
“In an increasingly uncertain global environment, Canada must be able to rely on strong, domestic industrial capabilities," says the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada. "Through the Regional Defence Investment Initiative, our government is investing in Saskatchewan’s defence sector to expand capacity, advance research and development, and strengthen manufacturing here at home. These investments support the growth of innovative prairie businesses and help ensure Canada has the tools and technologies needed to protect our security while creating new opportunities for Canadians.”
“Saskatchewan’s defence sector is growing and innovating to deliver new technologies and manufacturing capacity to support good jobs here at home and the national security needs of Canada and of our NATO allies," says the Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State for Rural Development. "These defence investments are about positioning Saskatchewan to lead as we move forward with our plan to build a secure, prosperous, and resilient Canada, now and for generations to come.”
DICE provides innovative solutions for solving data and digital challenges for business, industry and non-profits. By partnering with DICE, organizations have access to outstanding computational facilities, faculty expertise, and talented student researchers, along with research and development funding and a vast network of connections. The DICE team of researchers and technologists are all experienced in providing digital solutions focused on data across a spectrum of industries.
