The latest demonstration by the team of Dr. Maciej Podsędkowski has resonated widely across the country.
Researchers from Lodz University of Technology presented in Łódź the operation of a prototype passive acoustic drone‑localization system, developed jointly by the Institute of Computer Science and the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. The technology detects and precisely locates unmanned aerial vehicles based on the sounds generated by their engines and propellers, making it particularly useful for protecting critical infrastructure and for situations in which drones fly at very low altitudes. The system is modular, relatively inexpensive, and built from components available in Europe, while its passive operation allows it to complement classical methods of airspace surveillance. Even at the prototype stage, it has achieved the effectiveness required by the military. Work on acoustic drone detection at LUT is carried out by a team led by Dr. Maciej Podsędkowski from ITM, who is also responsible for developing advanced signal‑filtering and analysis methods within the SMART project. In recent days, the LUT project has attracted widespread media attention. Reports on the ‘drone hunter’ were published by, among others:
RMF24 – highlighting the military interest in the system and its ability to track a drone’s flight path, including at very low altitudes.
https://www.rmf24.pl/regiony/lodz/news-polacy-stworzyli-lowce-dronow-wykrywa-bezzalogowce-po-dzwiek,nIdn,1019073?utm_source=copilot.com
PAP / Science in Poland – describing the system demonstration in Andrespol and its potential for protecting critical infrastructure.
https://scienceinpoland.pap.pl/aktualnosci/news%2C115071%2Clodz-naukowcy-z-pl-zbudowali-system-lokalizujacy-drony-na-podstawie-ich?utm_source=copilot.com
Express Ilustrowany – noting the strong interest from the Polish Armed Forces and partners in Ukraine.
https://expressilustrowany.pl/politechnika-lodzka-z-nowatorskim-projektem-dronow-rozwiazanie-naszych-naukowcow-zainteresowalo-wojsko-polskie-oraz-partnerow-z-ukrainy/ar/c1p2-29382531?utm_source=copilot.com
TuŁódź.pl – presenting the development of the technology and earlier in‑flight acoustic detection tests.
https://tulodz.pl/wiadomosci-lodz/politechnika-lodzka-rozwija-innowacyjny-system-nowa-technologia-ma-wykrywac-drony/ozcaJpUrKpjO5uMCgb6U?utm_source=copilot.com
The Wszystko co Najważniejsze portal – emphasizing the uniqueness of the solution, its modular design, and the importance of Lodz University of Technology’s work in the field of airspace security.
https://wszystkoconajwazniejsze.pl/pepites/wynalazcy-z-politechniki-lodzkiej-lokalizuja-drony-na-podstawie-ich-dzwiekow/?utm_source=copilot.com
An article dedicated to research on acoustic drone detection, including a detailed description of the SMART project, is also available on the IMP website. We encourage you to read it.
https://imp.p.lodz.pl/aktualnosci-imp/projekt-smart-drony-ktore-potrafia-slyszec
The growing media presence of the project confirms the importance of the research conducted at Lodz University of Technology and its implementation potential. The researchers are engaged in discussions regarding the system’s commercialization.