The US military could soon enhance its battlefield mapping capabilities by turning drone footage into real-time maps using a new edge computing system developed by Florida-based Safe Pro Group.
The system, called NODE-X, is described as a next-gen miniaturized processor built for efficient target detection during high-intensity military missions.
It uses a patented object threat detection tech powered by algorithms trained on more than 2.6 million drone images and 47,000 confirmed sightings of small threats, including 150 types of landmines and cluster munitions.
Operating without any internet connection, NODE-X processes raw drone footage on the edge and generates 3D, threat-annotated maps of the surrounding environment, plotting the safest route for troops stuck between crossfires.
The system is also designed as a backpack-portable kit meant for rapid deployment and includes an intuitive software interface simple enough for any soldier to use.
“We are excited to introduce NODE-X, the next generation of our AI-powered edge solution for drone imagery processing designed for rapid battlefield intelligence,” Safe Pro Group Chairman Dan Erdberg said.
“NODE-X was created to meet end-user requests for a compact, high performance, turnkey solution for analyzing drone footage to detect threats and rapidly inform mission planning.”
Joining the Service
Now moving toward deployment, NODE-X is set to take part in US Army exercises in the second quarter of 2026 as Safe Pro scales up operations.
It runs on a Windows-based application that can work with short-range reconnaissance drones used by the US military..
“We look forward to building upon the success of NODE-X and to ramping-up production to meet the increasing demand signals we see in the defense market for our AI technologies,” Erdberg stated.
