02 Jun Asseco presents the POLISH ANTI-DRON system
Asseco Poland has presented a system for drone detection and monitoring. According to the concept, the solution is based on existing street lighting infrastructure, where sensors can be installed to create a scalable network capable of detecting low-flying objects. The POLISH ANTI-DRONE system uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze sounds emitted by drones, enabling it to determine their location and flight trajectory, thereby creating an early-warning system. The solution is a dual-use technology with both military and civilian applications. In the civilian domain, it can detect increases in noise levels caused by gunshots, illegal street racing, or crowd activity like a protest, while also measuring noise pollution.
The use of unmanned aircraft systems on the battlefield has revolutionized military strategy, making the neutralization of drone attacks a top priority for modern armed forces. Equipping the country with effective counter-drone systems is an important task facing the Polish military, particularly in the context of protecting NATO’s eastern flank.
The solution presented by Asseco consists of a network of acoustic sensors mounted on streetlights, which also provide the power required for their operation. Audio data collected by the sensors is transmitted to the Asseco Internet of Things (IoT) Platform via cellular networks. The system then performs AI-based analysis, classifies the detected object, and tracks its movement through airspace. Users can observe the flight path of a moving drone and create simulations of its future route. The system also sends automatic notifications whenever an unauthorized flight is detected within predefined security zones.
The system is an extension of Asseco’s existing scalable IoT Platform, which is already used by telecommunication companies and other organizations. The platform was designed to manage large numbers of electricity and water meters, as well as various other IoT devices.
Military and civilian applications
Beyond its military capabilities, the POLISH ANTI-DRONE system offers a wide range of civilian applications.
“The POLISH ANTI-DRONE system can, for example, notify authorities about an unregistered protest based on an analysis of the noise level generated by the crowd. Another use case is the detection of illegal car or motorcycle races in urban areas through the identification of excessive engine noise. Automatically generated alerts enable relevant services to respond more quickly, increasing their effectiveness in addressing such activities” – says Grzegorz Bartler, Vice President of the Management Board at Asseco Poland. “An important stage in the development of the POLISH ANTI-DRONE system was eliminating false positives—situations in which the system confuses the sound of a lawn mower or scooter with that made by a drone. We conducted a series of tests that allowed us to avoid false alarms, ensuring that users receive alerts only in confirmed cases” – he adds.
A system that is difficult to detect
The solution features simple installation and minimal energy consumption. It can be easily scaled by deploying sensors on additional streetlights across different regions of the country. The system can also be enhanced through integration with additional sensors, such as thermal detection devices, increasing its effectiveness under all conditions.
The system operates passively, meaning that it does not emit any signal, making it difficult to detect and resistant to interference. The POLISH ANTI-DRONE system eliminates single points of failure, ensuring operational continuity even if parts of the infrastructure are damaged.
Developed by Asseco Poland, the POLISH ANTI-DRONE system can be used to protect military facilities and critical infrastructure such as power grids, bridges, and airports, as well as civilian facilities in cities and municipalities. The system can provide monitoring across the entire country.