Drones operating in swarms and in complicated terrain without dependence on GPS signals, holographic command, autonomous robots or even virtual training of pyrotechnicians. These are no longer concepts from science fiction books, but real projects of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering (FEE CTU), which the faculty presented a few days ago at the Defence Research Day 2026 event. These are not self-serving toys, but technologies with a real impact on development and, in some cases, production. Simulations of dangerous situations, smart ammunition models or virtual work tools, such as metal detectors or spectrometers enabling the finding and identification of explosives. These are the features of the system when training specialists in the case of detection and disposal of unexploded ordnance (EOD). FEE developers have prepared scenarios for the training of pyrotechnicians that are not static. Analysis of user behavior plays a significant role in them. The system monitors movement in the scene and evaluates whether the "player" has followed safety procedures. “We want the training not to be based on simply memorizing the scenario, but for the user to have to think and react to new conditions, similar to real deployment,” explained David Sedláček, who manages the Laboratory of Virtual and Augmented Reality. An important part of the project is also training in working with robots for munitions disposal.
Special EOD robots are expensive, and in practice there are only a limited number of them. The virtual environment therefore allows training in their control on a larger scale. “It is not about learning one specific intervention, but understanding the entire process, how to identify ammunition, how to safely approach it and how to make a decision in a given situation,” explained Jiří Žára, head of the Department of Computer Graphics and Interaction at the Faculty of Engineering, who manages the EOD project. In the holographic control room This training system is interesting for the army. “It opens up space for wider use, for example in conjunction with 3D modeling, which can significantly facilitate training and understanding the functioning of individual types of ammunition,” said Lieutenant Colonel Martin Turek, Chief of the Technical and Information Support Center of the 15th Engineer Battalion. At the event, the developers also presented the HOLO-Swarm augmented reality, which will allow for easier orientation and planning on the battlefield using special glasses. The existing technology for monitoring the situation in the field remains based on two-dimensional maps today. “Classic maps are flat and working with them is limited. We want to give the user a spatial view of the situation and the ability to work with it interactively,” explained David Sedláček.
The augmented reality goggles present staff planners with a three-dimensional model of the terrain. The system displays the movement of units, such as drone swarms, their planned routes and current status. “The user can choose what data he wants to monitor – from basic telemetry to detailed 3D reconstruction of the surroundings,” said Sedláček. The technology allows for active intervention in control. The commander can enter new targets, adjust trajectories or replan the mission and check how the changes will be reflected. Sharing data between multiple users is a great advantage. The HOLO-Swarm project is being supported by QuaternAR, a company operating in the defense technology segment. Drones control the sky Similar technologies are not only intended for the military, however. “We also see their use in the integrated rescue system or in the protection of critical infrastructure, where it is necessary to quickly assess the situation and make decisions,” said Jiří Žára. Autonomous drones represent another top discipline of developers from FEL. The modern trend is their development with higher autonomy, faster response to changes in the environment and securing robotic platforms against takeover or misuse. "The point is to perform operations independently of the infrastructure and without satellite navigation. They can perform autonomous reconnaissance, they are capable of deployment in extreme conditions," explained Petr Štibinger from the Department of Multi-Robotic Systems at the FEL. A swarm of drones can operate, for example, in the forest, maneuver between trees and hold a formation. On the ground, they can be supplemented as additional "eyes" by, for example, ground-based Background Defence Research Day Real impact - University research develops technologies that have a real impact. Whether in the field of defense, security or critical infrastructure. State arms factory VOP CZ - The faculty is cooperating with the company on the development of advanced unmanned platforms designed for deployment in demanding conditions. This includes, for example, the modular multi-purpose wheeled robot TAROS 6×6.