Innoviz and Cogniteam Unveil AI-LiDAR Solution to Tackle the Drone Threat
Detection is no longer enough: the next challenge in counter-drone warfare is knowing what is approaching – and responding before it becomes a threat
Photo credit: Innoviz Technologies
Israeli companies Innoviz Technologies and Cogniteam have partnered to develop a new counter-UAS (C-UAS) perception module designed to improve the detection, localization, tracking, and classification of drones in advanced security systems.
The new solution combines Innoviz’s high-performance LiDAR sensors with Cogniteam’s AI-powered perception and analytics software, enabling system integrators and security providers to deploy more accurate drone detection capabilities for applications including critical infrastructure protection, perimeter security, and border surveillance.
The development builds on more than a year of operational deployments of Cogniteam’s ClearZone platform, which has been integrated with Innoviz LiDAR sensors in security environments. According to the companies, those deployments demonstrated the advantages of high-resolution 3D sensing in situations where accurate identification and low false-alarm rates are critical.
Cogniteam’s AI-based analytics engine uses the spatial and temporal data collected by Innoviz LiDAR sensors to analyze the characteristics of airborne objects, including their shape, movement patterns, flight behavior, and 3D signatures. The system is designed to distinguish between drones, birds, and other objects, providing operators with higher confidence in identifying potential threats.
“We are the eyes of the defense ecosystem,” said Omer Keilaf, founder and CEO of Innoviz. “Our LiDAR gives defense organizations the exact 3D position of a threat, so the systems they already own can operate with far higher confidence.”
Yehuda Elmaliah, CEO and co-founder of Cogniteam, said that effective counter-drone defense requires not only detecting aerial objects but also accurately understanding what they are. He added that the combination of AI analytics and LiDAR technology provides improved classification capabilities compared with conventional sensing approaches.
The new module is designed to integrate into existing security architectures and support deployment by defense companies, system integrators, and security providers. The solution is also intended to serve as a perception layer within broader counter-drone ecosystems, including applications supported by Barak555, the security systems integration subsidiary of Drive Group.
For Innoviz, which is known primarily for its automotive-grade LiDAR technology, the partnership represents an expansion into defense and homeland security markets, where demand for advanced counter-UAS capabilities continues to grow.
Leading international UAS/drone event, UVID DroneTech 2026, returns to Israel this November for its 14th edition, bringing together global stakeholders for knowledge sharing and collaboration. For information and registration