Scaling land border security with autonomous systems

Matthew Wright

26th March, 2025


Border security has always been a national security priority for governments, but rarely has it been so topical, or so challenging. People smugglers; drug traffickers; organised crime; terrorist groups.

And the problem isn’t just the range of threats. Hostile actors have increasingly easy access to emerging technologies that circumvent legacy border security infrastructure. A clear example of this is the Mexican cartels’ ongoing use of drones along the US-Mexico border.

So, what can governments do?

At a time of stretched budgets, how can they keep their citizens safe when the areas to cover are so vast?

We believe autonomous border security systems are a crucial part of the answer.

We combine AI and commercial hardware to deliver highly scalable, low cost systems that radically reduce the manpower required at borders. 

Detecting, tracking and geolocating people, UAVs, wildfires, vehicles and vessels.

Our autonomous surveillance towers are already deployed on Europe’s borders 24/7, and being rolled out for a nation-wide deployment. Here’s an overview of their features and benefits.

LAST: Autonomous Surveillance Tower

Strategically positioned along borders or coastlines, our towers offer wide-area coverage with minimal human intervention.

Each tower is equipped with advanced AI and sensors, a robust communication system and real-time monitoring across even the most remote and challenging environments.

Like LEGO, they are modular. You can easily configure them by adding the pieces you need for the specific mission and budget, i.e. adding aerial or marine radar, or Radio Frequency detectors.

Here are the essential features:

i) A unified picture:

End users get a single view that fuses the feeds from each tower, as well as each sensor on a tower (i.e. cameras and radar). The system is intuitive and requires minimal training. 

ii) Automated detection, tracking, geolocation & classification:

Each tower is equipped with AI-powered edge computing, allowing real-time detection and classification of potential threats while reducing the burden on command centers.

To make the experience even easier, we are using Large Language Models (LLMs) to offer natural language classifications for users. We are essentially using the LLM to report how a human analyst traditionally would.

iii) Robust communications:

A secure communication infrastructure is established using GSM and satellite connectivity, enabling continuous data transmission and real-time monitoring even in areas with limited network coverage.

iv) Power with minimal environmental impact:

Solar panels with battery storage ensure uninterrupted operation and a climate-friendly footprint. Wind turbines or generators are optional as backup. 

v) Easy to install:

No heavy machinery or equipment is required, so a small group of people can complete the task in even the most isolated areas. 

vi) Built for harsh conditions:

Designed to withstand extreme environmental conditions including severe storms, high winds up to hurricane force, intense solar radiation, salt spray in coastal areas, and extreme temperatures.

Beyond fixed locations

To complement the static towers you can fuse feeds from drones. These add to the unified view of the environment. You can also have mobile versions of the towers fixed to vehicles, to move to important tactical areas as required. 

Flexible, sovereign solutions

A differentiator of our system is that we do not lock customers into our autonomy suite. They can use our Command and Control (C2) software if they wish, but equally we can integrate with their C2 suite if they prefer.

A Smarter, More Secure Border

The result is a scalable, reliable and cost-effective surveillance system that empowers border agencies to detect, track, and respond to threats with unprecedented efficiency.

If governments are to keep up with the border threats they face, autonomous surveillance solutions are now a necessity.



26th March, 2025