Squarehead Discovair Acoustic Drone Detection

Squarehead Technology is a Norwegian acoustic sensing company whose story began in 2004 with three physics students at the University of Oslo, who built a microphone array able to separate wanted sound from noise. The technology moved from sports broadcasting into security and industry, and the company describes Discovair as the first passive, sound-based drone detector.

Discovair G2+ is a passive acoustic array that uses machine learning trained on propeller sound to detect, classify and track Class I and II drones, including self-built or modified models that emit no radio signal. A 105-degree directional mode covers a sector, while a 360-degree hemispheric mode lets one horizontally mounted sensor cover about four times the area. Alarms and bearings go to a browser interface or a machine-to-machine API, and the sensor can cue cameras or other sensors within a wider drone fence.

• Acoustic array: high-resolution beams capture sound in each sector when a change occurs.
• ML classifier: trained on propeller sound to recognise rotary and fixed-wing drones.
• Directional mode: 105-degree sector coverage, combinable for 360 degrees.
• Hemispheric mode: one horizontal sensor covers about four times the area.
• Browser and API: alarms with precise bearing to operator screens or connected systems.
• Slew-to-cue: points cameras and other high-precision sensors at detected targets.

• Event organisers in Vietnam adding acoustic sensors around marathon routes and concert venues.
• Factories and warehouses filling blind spots near buildings where radar suffers from clutter.
• Ports combining acoustic drone detection with existing CCTV for berth security.

• Detects drones that fly without RF links or hide in radar shadow, closing gaps left by other sensors.
• Fully passive operation emits nothing and needs no spectrum licence.
• The site claims close to zero false positives through acoustic beam classification.
• Small size, weight and power allow quick setup at temporary events as well as fixed sites.

Drones flying on autopilot or fiber links are harder to catch with RF scanners alone, so security teams are adding acoustic and optical layers. Marathons, motor sports and stadium events use portable detection, a need that is growing as Southeast Asian cities host more large public events.

Founded in 2004 by physics students at the University of Oslo; offices in Oslo, Norway and Hickory, North Carolina. Also sells acoustic monitoring for maritime, pulp and paper and metal industries, including a 2025 Fjord1 autonomous ferry contract. Won the Blue Maritime Innovation Award 2026.