Maxar Intelligence, a top provider of secure and accurate mapping data, has introduced Raptor—a powerful software tool that allows drones to fly and find exact ground locations even without GPS. This technology boosts the reliability and independence of drones, making them more useful for military, emergency, and commercial purposes worldwide.
Raptor is designed to work easily with any autonomous system and doesn’t need extra hardware. It uses the drone’s built-in camera and Maxar’s massive 3D map data—covering over 90 million square kilometers—to guide the drone and find ground coordinates with high accuracy in real-time, even in the dark or areas with little terrain detail.
“Raptor removes the need for GPS, unlocking new possibilities for autonomous systems,” said Peter Wilczynski, Chief Product Officer at Maxar Intelligence. “It supports advanced military operations and large-scale delivery services in cities, where knowing the exact location is key. With Maxar’s unique 3D data, Raptor ensures drones complete their missions—even in areas with heavy GPS interference.
The Raptor Software Suite Offers the Following Tools:
1. Raptor Guide:
A vision-based positioning tool installed directly on drones. It helps the drone figure out its location in the air with high accuracy—within 10 meters on average.
2. Raptor Sync:
This software connects the drone’s live video feed with Maxar’s 3D terrain maps in real-time. It allows different systems and sensors to work together and accurately pin down locations on the ground, with an accuracy of less than 3 meters.
3. Raptor Ace:
A tool that runs on regular laptops and works with drone controllers. It lets users get exact ground coordinates from live aerial videos, also with an accuracy of under 3 meters.
What Makes Raptor Unique:
1. Budget- and Energy-Friendly: Raptor software works on standard hardware and is easy to set up. Unlike other systems, it doesn’t need extra devices.
2. Ready for Challenging Missions: Using detailed 3D maps, Raptor software performs well even at night, in tough weather, and at low flying heights (as low as 50 meters). The terrain data from Maxar is always kept up-to-date.
3. Supports Large-Scale Autonomy: Raptor ties all sensor data to a common map base and works with cameras already on the drone. This allows different unmanned systems to work together, no matter what brand or software they use.
4. No Extra Camera Needed: Many systems need a special camera pointed straight down, which adds weight and uses more power. Raptor uses the drone’s built-in cameras, whether they face forward or sideways, saving space and energy.
About Maxar Intelligence
Maxar Intelligence is a top company that offers accurate and secure location-based information. We operate the world’s most advanced group of Earth observation satellites. By using high-resolution satellite images and smart software, we help achieve important goals on Earth and in space. Our AI-powered tools provide real-time, reliable data to help protect countries, guide navigation, support disaster response, and safeguard the environment.