Authors: Vidya Deshmukh, Samradnyi Patil, Akshada Veer, Jayada Talharkar, Tahareen Begampalli
Abstract: Modern security environments, particularly on the battlefield, demand autonomous systems capable of real-time threat detection and neutralization without relying on human intervention. This paper presents the Autonomous Threat Detec-tion and Elimination System (ATDES), an integrated hardware-software platform designed to detect enemy armored threats — specifically tanks — using a vision-based AI detection pipeline and respond autonomously through a servo-controlled targeting and firing mechanism. The system leverages a Raspberry Pi 3B+ as the central processing unit, integrating a 2- megapixel camera for visual acquisition, an IR transceiver pair for friend-or-foe (IFF) identification, an RF receiver for enemy signal detection, and a servo-mounted firing mechanism for threat neutralization. A lightweight deep learning model is deployed on-device for real-time tank detection from camera frames, achieving sub-50 ms inference latency at a resolution of 480×640 pixels. IR-based IFF communication ensures that allied units are correctly identified and excluded from targeting, minimizing the risk of fratricide. Blynk IoT cloud integration enables remote monitoring and event logging. The system operates off-grid using a battery and solar power combination, enabling continuous 24×7 autonomous surveillance. Simulation results confirm consistent real-time de-tection with high confidence scores, demonstrating the feasibility of deploying edge AI for autonomous military threat response. The proposed system contributes a cost-effective, scalable, and intelligent prototype for next- generation autonomous defense systems.
