Kinesis |
QGC |
WMI |
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User-Centric |
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| Runs on Android EUDs Android app built for common Nett Warrior end user devices (EUDs) |
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| Optimized for Dismount Built for the Nett Warrior architecture, wearable EUDs, and TAK/ATAK-based networks |
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| Embedded User Manual Fully featured user manual built into the software |
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| Embedded Training Sim Train how you fight from anywhere with on-body, fully immersive 3D training sim |
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Multi-Domain |
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| Teleoperation Command and control UAVs (hovering and fixed-wing) and UGVs (rolling and walking) with video feedback |
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| Mission Planning Create preplanned routes, rules, and actions to be executed by the connected unmanned system(s) |
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| Simultaneous Control Multiple unmanned systems, connected to the same EUD at the same time with collaborative control of all vehicles and payloads from one pane of glass |
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| Many-to-Many Control Multiple users, connected to multiple unmanned systems, having the ability to select individual vehicles and/or payloads and collaborate between the users in real-time |
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| Dynamic Handoff Multiple users, connected to multiple unmanned systems, having the ability to dynamically handoff control of either the vehicles or payloads to other users on the network in real-time |
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Cross-Architecture |
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| Supported on Android Unmanned systems architectures supported by the Android app alone |
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| Supported on Edge Device Additional unmanned systems architectures supported from wearable edge devices such as KxM |
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| Video Rebroadcast Re-encode unicast video from unmanned systems as multicast video and forward to connected team members over TAK/ATAK in real-time - requires KxM edge device |
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| Advanced Networking Unifying disparate networks of unmanned systems, having different data links and protocols, to create a single network of all connected unmanned systems' data and bridging it with the squad's TAK/ATAK network - requires a KxM edge device |
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| TAK/ATAK POI Sync Bidirectionally sync all connected unmanned systems' waypoints with TAK/ATAK POI for seamless manned-unmanned teaming (MUMT) |
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AI-Enhanced |
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| AI Framework Software structure in place on edge device to host secure Docker containers of 3rd-party's AI capabilities and protected via a license key - all controllable from the Android app |
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| AI App Store Growing catalog of edge device-hosted advanced capabilities such as Aided Target Recognition (AiTR), real-time video analytics, 3D mapping, autonomous behaviors/swarm control, etc. |
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| UAV/UGV Teaming Intelligently pair and control disparate systems and command them as a single unit (e.g. driving a ground vehicle from an aerial view that autonomously follows the ground robot to provide a "god's eye view") |
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Updates & Integration |
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| Product Maturity Formal software release schedule, test and validation approach, CI/CD automation |
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| UxV Validation Method to ensure supported unmanned systems work as expected with documented features, bugs, and supported firmware versions |
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| Open Architecture Developed to MOSA standards with open interfaces and support for 3rd party integration of unique platforms, payloads, and features through an ICD, API, or SDK |
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| Software Baseline Leverage partners' (industry and government) investments into a single, common release for all license holders (excluding export-controlled modules, 3rd-party licensing restrictions) |
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Export Control |
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| Country of Origin Citizenship of software developers |
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| EAR99/ITAR Control Supports commercial and defense separation of unified codebase and feature sets |
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Software Comparison
What's "common" about common control anyway?
What to choose?
Kinesis, QGC, and WMI are the most well-known and adopted solutions for harsh environment, unmanned systems command and control. Understanding the pros and cons of each can help you pick the right solution for the task at hand. Read on to learn more or reach out to discuss your specific requirements.
Kinesis is an Android-based, common control app that is optimized for all tactically employed UAVs and UGVs.
Developed exclusively by Tomahawk Robotics, a US-based defense company, Kinesis is the most recent common control software on the market with the first build completed in early 2019. Kinesis has quickly reached maturity by adhering to MOSA design principles and incorporating feedback from end users spanning every branch of the US military.
New features and capabilities are added constantly by a team of engineers with backgrounds from major defense primes, Silicon Valley tech companies, and the US military. Third-party developers of AI, unmanned systems, and mission payloads can further extend the Kinesis Ecosystem through the Kinesis SDK.
Kinesis stands alone as a commercial solution built by a team of US engineers to solve the complex battlefield network of dismounted teams working collaboratively with unmanned systems and AI.
export notice: This product Is classified as EAR99
Kinesis Defense licensed UxVs, Mission Modules, and aI capabilities are ITAR controlled
QGroundControl (QGC) is an open-source software solution optimized for the command and control of UAVs. QGC software was initially developed in 2009 by Swiss-based company Auterion and is maintained and updated on a GitHub repository through a collection of various companies, academics, and individuals from all corners of the globe.
QGC is built for the MAVLink protocol which is widely used by most commercial drone manufacturers and in rare cases a ground robot company. For defense applications, QGC-Gov is a separately maintained branch for specific Blue sUAS manufacturers.
Due to the open-source nature of QGC, new features and capabilities can be added rapidly by the international community of developers although testing and robustness of new features are not guaranteed. QGC is an excellent option for operating MAVLink-based drones and/or prototyping new control methods.
export notice: This product Is classified as EAR99
Warfighter Machine Interface (WMI) is an extensible software user interface for the command and control of robotic vehicles, subsystems, and their payloads.
WMI has been in development by the US Army’s Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) in Warren, MI since 2001. The WMI architecture was originally designed for control of small, medium, and large UGVs but has recently transitioned to support an assortment of UAVs as well.
WMI is typically installed on ruggedized Windows-based tablets, although recent efforts have ported WMI to Android. The "US Government only" development approach and general lack of availability have prohibited the broader defense industry from adopting and advancing the maturity of the software.
New features for WMI are developed exclusively by GVSC (and contracted staff) to support the latest prototyping requirements dictated by the US Army for next-gen weapons systems field experiments.
export notice: This product Is classified AS ITAR
full comparison AVAILABLE on desktop
Optimal Common Control
Kinesis, QGC, and WMI all provide cutting-edge solutions for command and control while catering to very different use cases. Looking for "mounted" control of UGVs - WMI is a good choice. Need a flexible solution to prototype your new drone - QGC is a great place to start. However, if you need a tactically optimized command and control solution - the answer is Kinesis.
Still not sure? Contact us and we can discuss your specific needs.
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