VILNIUS, Lithuania – Today, the winner of NATO’s Allied Command Transformation Spring Innovation Challenge was selected. Team BROSWARM from Lithuania came out victorious with their submission.
After receiving 51 entries from thirteen countries, the top eleven finalists presented their solutions to address Remote Explosive-Contaminated Area Recognition and Neutralization, otherwise known as remote mine clearance operations to a panel of nine judges from NATO commands, the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence and subject matter experts.
The finalists showcased the forefront of demining innovation, bringing together a diverse array of technologies and approaches. From AI and drone technology to multi-sensor systems and virtual reality, each project offered a unique solution to the complex challenges of mine detection and neutralization. Their innovations not only promise to advance the field of demining but also highlight the importance of international collaboration in addressing global security challenges.
Team UNMANNED DYNAMICS, also from Lithuania, was chosen as the second best solution while team AAEG from France ranked third.
Russia’s unprovoked invasion has transformed Ukraine into one of the world’s most heavily mined countries. Estimates suggest that landmines now contaminate a staggering third of Ukrainian territory. This widespread problem not only impedes the movement of civilians and humanitarian aid but also threatens lives and livelihoods.
The objective of the Innovation Challenge was to develop innovative solutions for remote reconnaissance and neutralization of explosive-contaminated areas to ensure the safe passage of civilians or military formations, and facilitate recovery efforts. The solutions were encouraged to prioritize speed, efficiency, safety, and minimal human intervention.
By focusing on remote mine clearance operations, this 15th edition of the Innovation Challenge underscores NATO’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology for humanitarian and strategic purposes. As we navigate an increasingly complex global landscape, where threats evolve and adapt, innovation becomes not just a luxury but a necessity. By fostering collaboration between member nations, academia, and industry, the NATO Allied Command Transformation’s Innovation Challenge serves as a powerful model for international cooperation in the face of global security threats.
Initiated in 2017, the NATO Innovation Challenge is a brainstorming process that produces effective and cost-efficient collaboration between the Alliance, Academia, Industry, and additional innovators. The NATO Innovation Challenge helps resolve operational problems for the Alliance, collecting and implementing innovative solutions. Open to all NATO member Nations, the Allied Command Transformation Innovation Hub organizes the NATO Innovation Challenge with NATO Nations where participants gain both visibility and the opportunity to develop their products. It is also the cornerstone for the development of the NATO-wide Innovation Network. The Fall 2024 edition will be announced shortly so keep checking back on the NATO Allied Command Transformation website for application deadlines and the topic solutions should be focused on.
