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As dual-use technologies increasingly drive economies of scale worldwide, ADASI, a leader in UAV system manufacturing, has announced their adoption of two advanced autonomous flight technologies by Abu Dhabi’s VentureOne: Perceptra, a new cutting-edge GPS-less navigation technology, and Saluki, a high-security flight control technology for autonomous systems.
These technologies, both developed by the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), are designed to deliver secure, resilient operations in the most challenging environments. They have been optimised for UAV manufacturers, offering enhanced resilience, precision, and security for autonomous aerial operations.
The agreement between VentureOne, ADASI, and TII was formalised at IDEX 2025, the Middle East’s largest defence exhibition, at which Saluki and Perceptra were unveiled.
For autonomous systems like drones and self-driving vehicles, the inability to maintain accurate positioning can create safety hazards, particularly in dynamic or high-risk environments, from aviation to defence. As the use of GPS-dependent systems continues to grow, the need for resilient, alternative navigation solutions has become increasingly critical. Perceptra and Saluki overcome many of today’s numerous challenges with advanced vision-based navigation, delivering reliable, resilient performance.
Dr. Najwa Aaraj, CEO of TII, said, “Perceptra, with its GPS-less capabilities, and Saluki, with its sophisticated Zero Trust architecture, represent a significant leap in autonomous navigation with the potential to transform multiple sectors. From supporting safe travel in commercial flights, search-and-rescue missions with precise navigation, to enabling efficient urban drone logistics for deliveries in densely populated cities, these technologies have broad real-world applications. Their adaptability also makes them invaluable in defence, ensuring secure and resilient operations in even the most challenging environments. This collaboration reflects our commitment to developing advanced, dual-use technologies that serve both civilian and defence needs while positioning the UAE as a leader in next-generation autonomous systems.”
Perceptra is a vision-based system that ensures reliable navigation without GPS, allowing aerial platforms to operate in GNSS-denied environments. It features visual relocking, low navigation errors, and easy integration across platforms for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare.
Saluki is a secure, high-performance flight controller and mission computer with Zero Trust architecture. With PX4 compatibility, Gen AI capabilities and 300 TOPS compute power, it supports multi-vehicle management for mission-critical defence applications.
“At ADASI, we integrate only the most advanced, field-proven technologies to ensure our UAVs operate with unmatched precision, resilience, and security, even in the most contested environments,” said Juma Al Kaabi, the CEO of ADASI. “Perceptra and Saluki provide exactly what next-generation UAVs require: secure, GPS-independent navigation and AI-powered mission control.”
“VentureOne is dedicated to ensuring that cutting-edge research becomes reality to make a positive impact and transform industries,” said Reda Nidhakou, the Acting CEO of VentureOne. “Saluki and Perceptra are just two of many new innovations to come that will help ensure more resilient and safer drone operations in different sectors, starting with defence. We are working on a more comprehensive air autonomy and security portfolio that will play a central role in future drone operations.”
Last week, TII announced its collaboration with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to support regulatory efforts by developing advanced methodologies for air corridor design. These methodologies aim to optimise flight routes and reduce the risk of aerial incidents in complex urban airspaces, ensuring safe and efficient navigation for both piloted and autonomous drone taxis. These efforts, alongside Perceptra and Saluki, reinforce Abu Dhabi’s vision to lead in next-generation navigation and AI-powered autonomy.
Both VentureOne and TII are part of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), which oversees Abu Dhabi’s research and development ecosystem to advance transformative technologies with global impact. ADASI is part of the EDGE Group, the advanced technology and defence conglomerate.