Nearthlab received the Silver award at the 2025 Edison Awards in the category of Autonomous Security Solutions for KAiDEN, its high-speed Counter-UAS solution developed for real-time threat detection and aerial interception.
KAiDEN is designed to detect, track, and respond to aerial threats in real time, reaching speeds of up to 150 mph through proprietary AI flight algorithms. Its autonomous interception capabilities support a range of applications, including national security and the protection of critical infrastructure such as airports, energy facilities, and industrial zones. A predefined safe-crash zone is integrated to help minimize secondary damage from debris, emphasizing both performance and safety.
The Edison Awards, established in 1987 to honor inventor Thomas Edison, are among the world’s most recognized accolades for innovation. Each year, over 7,000 submissions are evaluated in a months-long review process by a panel of industry experts, executives, and academics. The 2025 ceremony, held April 2–3 in Fort Myers, Florida, also honored NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang with a lifetime achievement award, highlighting technologies with significant global impact.
Jay Choi, CEO of Nearthlab, commented, “The rise of both intentional and unintentional airborne threats is a pressing challenge. With KAIDEN, we’re bringing AI-powered autonomy into the realm of real-world security, enabling organizations to respond faster, smarter, and safer. This Edison Award validates our belief that autonomous safety is not just a technological achievement – it’s a societal necessity.”
This recognition is seen as a key point in Nearthlab’s progression from drone inspections to autonomous security systems, reflecting its broader focus on developing AI technologies for asset and life protection in an increasingly connected world.
