Harvard startup develops AI sensors for U.S. military

A startup called Distributed Spectrum, founded by Harvard students, is creating AI-powered sensors to assist the U.S. military in electronic warfare. These small sensors help locate enemy troops and drones by detecting their radio signals. The founders, Alex Wulff, Ben Harpe, and Isaac Struhl, began developing their technology in 2021. They initially beta tested their sensors among their classmates at Harvard, using handheld radios to improve their detection algorithms. Their work has attracted attention from national security agencies and investors. In the past year, Distributed Spectrum secured $7 million in contracts from the Department of Defense and an unnamed intelligence agency. Recently, they announced they raised $25 million in funding led by venture firms and investor Nat Friedman. Their technology has impressed former Army General Stanley McChrystal, who believes their sensors offer a cheaper and more flexible alternative to expensive military equipment. The sensors are lightweight and compact, using commercial hardware worth about $1,500 to $2,000. They utilize AI to identify signals and their sources, helping soldiers understand potential threats in real-time. This technology is particularly relevant in places like Ukraine, where electronic warfare is a critical aspect of battle. Soldiers now rely on various communication methods, and both Russian and Ukrainian troops constantly adapt their tactics to evade detection. Traditional detection systems struggle to keep up with these rapid changes, highlighting the importance of the innovative solutions offered by Distributed Spectrum. The idea for Distributed Spectrum emerged from Wulff's senior thesis, which aimed to replace bulky radio equipment with smaller, software-based solutions. A pivotal defense hackathon revealed the military's urgent need for reliable radio-frequency detection systems, leading to various development contracts. The startup has already deployed some sensors in Ukraine, using them on drones to identify enemy jamming devices and concealed troops. Despite the challenges of penetrating the Department of Defense market, industry insiders believe the team's expertise and early achievements position them well for future success.