Israeli companies Innoviz Technologies and Cogniteam have joined forces to develop a new counter-drone detection system. This critical collaboration aims to significantly improve the detection, classification, and tracking of drones for vital security systems. The new solution integrates Innoviz’s advanced 3D LiDAR sensors with Cogniteam’s AI-powered perception and analytics software, designed to identify drones with greater accuracy by analyzing their 3D morphology, motion, flight behavior, and unique signatures. It also distinguishes these aerial threats from benign objects like birds, drastically reducing false alarms that can divert essential security resources.
This technology isn't theoretical; it builds on more than a year of operational deployments. Cogniteam’s ClearZone platform, already integrated with Innoviz LiDAR, has been used for perimeter protection, critical infrastructure security, and border surveillance. Innoviz stated that this partnership will empower system integrators and security providers to deploy highly accurate drone detection, localization, tracking, and classification systems. Cogniteam’s 3D analytics engine specifically scrutinizes object morphology, motion, flight behavior, and 3D signatures to minimize false alarms and sharpen threat identification capabilities.
Fortifying Western Defenses
Dr. Yehuda Elmaliah, Cogniteam CEO and co-founder, emphasized the necessity of this advanced capability. “Effective drone defense requires not only detecting flying objects, but accurately understanding what they are,” he stated. He added that the combined power of Cogniteam’s analytics and Innoviz LiDAR delivers detection and classification capabilities that conventional sensing methods simply can't match. Omer Keilaf, the founder and CEO of Innoviz, underscored the strategic importance of their role. “We are the eyes of the defense ecosystem,” Keilaf asserted. “Our LiDAR provides defense organizations with the exact 3D position of a threat, enabling the systems they already own to act with far greater confidence. This is proven automotive technology aimed at the most urgent security problem of our time.”
The companies confirmed that this module can be seamlessly integrated into existing security architectures. It's intended to function as a core perception layer within broader counter-drone systems. Its development specifically supports deployment by system integrators, defense contractors, and security providers. Innoviz highlighted that the partnership establishes a scalable foundation for next-generation counter-UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) and critical infrastructure protection systems by combining its LiDAR sensors with Cogniteam’s AI perception software.
Strategic Leadership in Security
Cogniteam specializes in AI and robotics software, including a cloud-based platform for managing and deploying robots and AIoT devices. The company provides essential tools for robotics firms and integrators to operate and control their fleets. Innoviz, on the other hand, supplies LiDAR technology to automotive manufacturers and various other industries. Their sensors are engineered for long-range, high-resolution, and reliable operation, even in harsh weather conditions. Innoviz maintains operations across the US, Europe, and Asia, delivering solutions to automotive OEMs, municipalities, commercial enterprises, and, crucially, defense and security applications.
Innoviz also announced a significant leadership appointment 1 day ago. Maj-Gen. (ret.) Yoav Har-Even, the former president and CEO of Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, was named as the chair of its board of directors. This appointment signals a clear strategic expansion of Innoviz’s focus beyond its traditional automotive applications, firmly into the defense and security industry. This move reinforces Israel's commitment to developing cutting-edge technology to counter the persistent aerial threats facing the region and its allies.