Israeli wartime innovations: Drone, sticker, and distress bracelet

Quick Response to Threats in the Field: Autonomous Combat Drone

While stationed in the northern sector, Shaya Sonnenberg encountered a frustrating situation—he identified enemy operatives, but they were out of range. By the time air support arrived, the targets had already disappeared. From this frustration, the idea emerged that became a reality: An autonomous combat drone that bridges the gap between identification and response. Together with Simon Pikalov, they founded the company Corbotex, which develops autonomous and offensive drones.

The technology behind the company’s drones is based on an advanced combination of AI-based machine vision algorithms and data gathered from multiple combat fronts, including Gaza, the north, and even the war in Ukraine. The system is trained on a vast amount of real-world data, enabling it to accurately identify targets in complex situations and changing conditions. One of the standout features of the technology is its ability to navigate independently of GPS, using the SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) algorithm, which allows for optical navigation resistant to electronic warfare interference.

The drone can detect and lock onto moving targets through an AI-based tracking system. The system monitors the environment in real time and can follow a target intelligently, adapting to changes in movement and conditions, autonomously reaching the interception point without harming bystanders. The advanced sensors installed on the drone communicate directly with the central control system, enabling precise navigation even in conditions of electronic warfare and complex urban terrain.

The development, which has already passed a series of rigorous tests, has attracted the attention of the Defense Ministry. "The difficulty in coordinating with airstrike forces and the time it took for them to arrive allowed the targets to disappear," Sonnenberg recalls the moment that led to the development. The company is now in the final stages of turning the prototype into a mass-producible product.

Race Against Time: The Life-Saving Sticker on the Battlefield

During his participation in rescue missions in disaster zones, Dr. Amit Lehavi encountered a critical problem: Many injured people suffered from hypothermia that endangered their lives. By the time they reached the hospital, their condition had already worsened significantly. Out of this urgent need came an innovative solution: A smart heating sticker that prevents dangerous cooling of the body. Together with Hagay Weisbrod, a graduate of the Technion in biomedical engineering, and Adi Shalev, a graduate of Tel Aviv University, they founded Rescue Heat, a company developing advanced heating technology to save lives.

The technology behind the smart sticker is based on a unique development of a warming material that has been patented, activated by shaking and exposure to air. The system is designed to heat up to an exact temperature of 42 degrees Celsius—the maximum safe limit to prevent burns. The development has undergone extensive lab testing and human skin trials, proving significantly higher efficiency compared to traditional heating methods.

The sticker reaches the target temperature within 15 minutes and maintains it for eight continuous hours, with thermal transfer efficiency ten times higher than competing products. The system integrates easily into the existing treatment protocol in the field, allowing medical teams to focus on saving lives without delays caused by activating complex heating methods.

The development has attracted the attention of medical officials in the IDF. "When body temperature drops below 35 degrees, critical systems stop functioning, and the risk to life increases," Dr. Lehavi explains the urgent need for the solution.

The Bracelet That Identifies Mental Distress: Technology to Prevent Trauma

During her military service, Naama Mashiach (Reserve Lieutenant Colonel), a graduate of the Technion in aeronautical engineering, was exposed to soldiers who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following traumatic experiences during Operation Protective Edge. The lack of timely treatment, due to difficulty in recognizing or reporting their condition, led to worsening of their mental state. From this understanding, an innovative idea was born: A smart autonomous bracelet based on AI that identifies stress and anxiety before they escalate. Along with her personal experience as a mother of a child who suffered from neglect in kindergarten, Naama founded BUZZY, a company developing advanced technology for monitoring mental distress.

The technology behind the bracelet is based on an advanced sensor system that monitors physiological indicators in real time. The system is designed to adapt individually to each user, learning their personal sensitivity thresholds and unique metrics. The development is intended to serve a wide range of populations, from trauma survivors to young children who have difficulty expressing their distress.

The bracelet identifies early signs of mental distress and alerts before the onset of anxiety attacks, rage episodes, or PTSD episodes. The system provides continuous support even outside of therapy hours, enabling both therapists and patients to track their mental state over time.

Since October 7, 2023, the need for solutions to identify mental distress early has become more critical than ever. Surveys show that over 40% of Israelis reported significant anxiety symptoms, with numbers reaching 70% among residents of the Gaza Strip perimeter and the north. The situation has worsened particularly among survivors of the "Nova" events, evacuees, and families of victims, with the mental health system struggling to respond quickly to the large volume of requests.

The development, which has been accelerated due to the war and the dramatic rise in mental health casualties, aims to reach every home in Israel. "Not everyone is able or willing to talk about their mental state," explains Mashiach the vision, "Our technology allows for early detection and intervention, even in cases where it is difficult to communicate distress." The company is now working to make the product available quickly to a wide range of populations in need of mental health support, especially in light of the ongoing national crisis.