SALUTS unveils robot-defined operations at Web Summit Qatar

Khaleej Times

03-06-2025

SALUTS (formerly Salutes Space) a leader in decentralised AI and space-grade autonomy has showcased its groundbreaking Robot-Defined Defense, a next-generation security framework designed to safeguard autonomous operations across space, defense, and critical infrastructure, at Web Summit Qatar.
SALUTS has also announced its strategic partnership with Unifiaccess, an industrial technology company in Saudi Arabia. By combining SALUTS' deep-tech expertise in ultra-low-power AI chips and secure satellite connectivity with Unifiaccess' manufacturing scale and regional market insight, the alliance will deliver next-generation IoT, V2X and distributed surveillance solutions powered by space-based infrastructure — and co-develop the first German-Saudi IoT satellite constellation.
Together, SALUTS and Unifiaccess will fast-track advanced IoT and V2X applications—from autonomous logistics fleets to distributed surveillance networks safeguarding critical infrastructure.
Under SALUTS' AstraDroid programme, the partners will co-develop and deploy a 16-satellite microsatellite constellation over the next decade. This network will provide global distributed systems, precise navigation and resilient communications for industrial operations, smart cities and defense platforms.
Saudi Vision 2030: Accelerating sustainability, smart-city deployments and Industry 4.0 with low-latency edge AI; empowering local talent through no-code platforms.
UAE Innovation Vision: Bolstering the UAE's Space Strategy 2030 via orbital autonomy; advancing AI Strategy 2031 with energy-efficient, resilient edge computing.
At Web Summit Qatar 2025, SALUTS unveiled its robot-defined operations framework, demonstrating two flagship innovations:
CHIRB (Computing on Hybrid Interplanetary Relay Basis) – a natural-language AI control layer that bridges Web 2.0 and Web 3.0, enabling code-free, real-time automation across space, defense, industrial and smart-city environments.
NEROnaut – a rugged, ultra-efficient Robot-on-Chip delivering on-device AI for instantaneous, resilient decision-making both in orbit and at the network edge.
'Resilient autonomy is the next frontier,' said M Sobhy Fouda, CEO and founder of SALUTS. 'By processing security telemetry on-chip, we eliminate latency and external vulnerabilities—ensuring satellites, UAVs and critical infrastructure detect and neutralise threats in real time.' Attendees responded enthusiastically to live demos of decentralised satellite platforms, energy-efficient orbital data centers and intelligent machine interactions extending far beyond Earth.
SALUTS' CHIRB platform transforms mission management by offering:
Natural-language interface: Intuitive, code-free control and diagnostics via chat.
Edge processing: Sub-millisecond decisions on-device, independent of ground links.
Plug-and-play integration: Seamless deployment across satellites, UAVs, industrial machinery and smart-city systems.
Decentralised security: Web 3.0-inspired architecture ensuring data sovereignty and built-in audit trails.
Multi-agent coordination: Real-time orchestration of heterogeneous fleets—from orbital platforms to autonomous vehicles.
Offline resilience: continuous operation in contested or disconnected environments, with self-healing routines.
At the heart of this pioneering approach is Robot-on-Chip, SALUTS' proprietary decentralised AI technology. This innovation enables real-time, in-orbit and on-the-ground data processing while ensuring cyber resilience against emerging robotic threats.
'As the CEO and founder of SALUTS and the creator of Robot-on-Chip, my mission is to advance AI-driven autonomy while safeguarding human life from robotic risks. Our work is shaping the future of human-machine interactions, ensuring they are not only intelligent but also secure,' said Fouda.
AI systems are prime targets for cyber threats, rogue automation, and adversarial AI attacks. SALUTS' Robot-on-Chip integrates advanced security layers to detect, isolate, and neutralize robotic threats in real time—ensuring mission-critical operations remain secure.
Autonomy must be unhackable. Robot-Defined Defense safeguards military UAVs and satellites from cyber intrusion, autonomous industrial operations from adversarial AI attacks, and IoT and smart infrastructure from robotic system breaches.
Unlike conventional AI, Robot-on-Chip processes security data on-device, eliminating latency and man-in-the-middle vulnerabilities tied to Earth-based processing. This enables instant anomaly detection, autonomous countermeasures, and resilient AI decision-making in real time.
As part of its global mission to secure AI autonomy, SALUTS presented at Web Summit Qatar, one of the world's leading technology gatherings. The event provided a platform for SALUTS to engage with investors, defense organisations, and industry leaders, showcasing how Robot-Defined Defense is shaping the next generation of cyber-secure autonomy.
With its rapid ascent on the global stage, Salutes Space has rebranded to SALUTS, symbolising an expanded mission from orbital servicing to critical infrastructure, industrial automation and defense.
"Our goal is to develop not only smarter but also more resilient and responsible AI — systems that learn, adapt and operate independently," said Fouda.