An interview with Extend CEO Aviv Shapiro about the robotics and drone autonomy “revolution,” centered on software that lets one operator task drones and robots remotely instead of manually piloting them. The pitch is that Extend’s operating system already powers defense, security, and rescue use cases, while a future where AI orchestrates whole swarms is only a few years away.
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The core thesis is that robotics is moving from manual drone flying toward AI-driven task autonomy, and Extend wants to be the software layer that makes that shift practical at scale. Aviv Shapiro says the company started in drone racing and gaming, but pivoted into defense and security after realizing the same technology could save lives in dangerous missions. The key framing is not “fly the drone,” but “tell the drone what you want done,” with the software handling the rest. Shapiro describes the product as an operating system for unmanned vehicles that lets operators command drones by task rather than by joystick. He emphasizes that many current drone companies still require manual control, while Extend’s system allows an operator to tap a target like a window, tell the drone to scan a room, or direct a robot swarm from far away. …
Tactically, this is a merger-and-catalyst story with high narrative momentum but execution risk. The near-term trade depends on deal progress, contract headlines, and whether the market believes the autonomy layer is more than a concept.
Over the next few months, the story works if the company can convert partnerships and public-market access into visible deployments and manufacturing scale. If the merger closes and operating updates validate the platform claim, the setup improves; if not, the stock could fade back into “future promise” territory.
Structurally, the interview argues that the winning robotics business is the software orchestration layer, not the drone frame itself. If autonomy keeps advancing, defense and security robotics may evolve into an AI platform market where mission software becomes the real moat.
Extend's task-autonomy operating system allows operators to control drones by telling them what to do rather than how to fly, eliminating the need for pilot training and field presence.
The AI robotics sector is moving faster than most market participants expect, with autonomy-at-scale already deployable on drones and robots.
Manual drone flight is not scalable because it requires long training time and the operator to be physically in the field, which is dangerous and impractical.
How much of the robotics revolution is already happening right now?
Aviv says the industry is moving very fast — he calls it 'AI at the speed of flight.' His company has been deploying drones and robots for 7 years in defense, security, and law enforcement scenarios, replacing humans in dangerous missions by operating from remote with zero training.
How much can you control with the AI operating system you've developed?
Aviv explains it started 6 years ago with drone racing. They created a system where the operator tells the drone what to do (point in space, say 'go through that hoop') rather than how to fly it (turn left/right). This operating system combines AI skills with machine autonomy, making it so there's no need to physically fly the drone — just tell it what you want done.
How quickly did you get to the point of just telling a drone what to do and it does it?
Aviv describes starting as a gaming company opening FPV racing leagues in the first year. They then pivoted to security and defense when they realized the technology could save lives. They've deployed in Ukraine, Afghanistan, and conflicts around Israel.
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