Rapid decision-making is crucial for military operators in high-stakes environments, but they’re often hindered by technology that fails to provide accurate information about their surroundings. Military leaders have emphasized the importance of "decision dominance" for troops, but implementing new technologies and getting them into the hands of end users can be a significant challenge.
Reveal Technology: A Notable Standout in Decision Dominance Efforts
One company making waves in this effort is Reveal Technology, a 6-year-old startup that has been working closely with multiple branches of the U.S. Department of Defense to integrate its flagship software product, Farsight, into the hands of operators. Farsight rapidly converts video from drones into 3D maps that live on a smartphone, offering significant advantages over the status quo.
The Limitations of Current Technology
Current technology, which typically involves smartphones preloaded with two-dimensional maps generated from years-old satellite data, often fails to reflect the changing nature of a battlefield. As Reveal co-founder and CEO Garrett Smith explained in a recent interview:
"If you’re facing off against an adversary, any number of things could change in that environment. They could block a road, they could dig a trench line … none of that stuff is going to be reflected on a map."
The Power of Farsight
Farsight solves this problem by providing a fresh, time-stamped, 3D model of the operating environment, allowing operators to measure and analyze it, drive decisions, and understand their surroundings. Smith, a U.S. Marine Corps officer with deployments in Afghanistan, South Asia, and South America, emphasized the importance of Farsight:
"Recognizing that while I was in harm’s way was a pretty crazy realization. That’s when I realized the deep lack of technological preparedness by the U.S. Department of Defense."
From Military Experience to Startup
After leaving active service, Smith attended Stanford University and decided to take the plunge into the world of startups. He leveraged his experience operating drones in the military to work with companies in the commercial drone industry, where he noticed the rapid rise of cheap commercial drones alongside less expensive consumer smartphones.
"There was an opportunity there to generate software value," Smith explained. "We started Reveal Technology in December 2018 to build the software tool that is now Farsight."
The Acquisition of DFL Technology
In addition to generating maps, Farsight can simulate an adversary’s field of view, provide route planning, determine height and distance, and offer other analytics. Along the way, Reveal acquired DFL Technology to onboard its product, Identifi, a mostly smartphone-based biometrics and human identity data collection and verification system.
The through line between Reveal’s two products is decision dominance: providing tactical information at the edge and in mobile environments. As Smith put it:
"If Farsight is all about navigating the physical world, then Identifi is all about navigating the digital one."
Investment and Growth
Reveal has secured significant investment and growth, with a focus on expanding its team and capabilities to meet the demands of the military and other sectors.
Conclusion
Military operators need decision dominance in high-stakes environments. Reveal Technology’s Farsight software is making waves by providing accurate information about surroundings through 3D maps generated from drone video. With its acquisition of DFL Technology and expansion into biometrics, Reveal is solidifying its position as a leader in decision dominance efforts.
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