What IoT/AI does

IoT/AI is a Silicon Valley-headquartered defense technology company that builds cyber-hardened sensor and communications platforms for environments where legacy systems fail — specifically GPS-denied, RF-contested, and infrastructure-free settings. Founded as a spinout from Stanford University and NASA Ames Research Center and led by co-founders Dr. Kevin Montgomery (CEO) and J.D. Stanley III (COO), the company concentrates on ultra-low SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power) embedded systems that integrate stealthy LPI/LPD radio, AI-powered autoconfiguring mesh networking, edge analytics, and interoperability with more than 4,000 sensor types. The product portfolio is organized around the Pico Platform(TM) and includes PicoMote (sensor processing), PicoTAK-X (ATAK communications), PicoTag (asset tracking), PicoBadge (personnel alerting), SmartBox (covert ISR), SmartRock (EW detection/deception/disruption), SmartCam (AI visual recognition), and PicoUAV (unmanned communications).

The company operates a B2B/B2G model, generating revenue primarily through U.S. defense contracts with the Air Force, Navy, Army, Marines, Special Operations Command, and the Defense Innovation Unit, with secondary commercial-off-the-shelf sales to industrial and bioscience/healthcare customers. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeting defense decision-makers and program managers, augmented by participation in defense exercises (Trident Spectre for SOCOM, Coastal Trident, SilentSwarm for NAVWAR, Agile Combat Employment) and innovation challenges (STRIKEWERX, AFGSC Emergency Aircrew Response Challenge) to convert field-validated prototypes into programs of record. The single largest disclosed commercial signal is a $15.5 million U.S. Air Force contract (FA7000-26-C-0007) awarded May 2026 for advanced electronic warfare technology, building on a sequential STRIKEWERX engagement dating back to 2022.

Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; revenue figures are also not disclosed. The company is privately held with no reported institutional investors, and the ownership appears founder-controlled. Notable credibility markers include a Smithsonian Award and 2015 Gold Edison Award for co-founder Kevin Montgomery's prior work, multiple patents held by J.D. Stanley III in AI/ML and IoT, GDPR and CCPA privacy compliance, and a registered trademark portfolio spanning at least eleven product brands. Headcount is reported at 11-50, consistent with a venture-stage defense prime subcontracting into larger programs.

Name

IoT/AI

Legal name

IoT/AI Inc.

Website

https://iot.ai

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

IoT/AI builds cyber-hardened, ultra-low SWaP sensor and LPI/LPD communications platforms with AI-powered mesh networking for U.S. defense agencies and dual-use industrial customers operating in GPS-denied and RF-contested environments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defense Communications and Sensor Systems

NAICS

Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing (334290), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Computer Communications Equipment (3576), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829)

akta.pro primary industry

IoT Connectivity Management (Private APN, SIM/eSIM, Device Connectivity) (HDAIAGAG)

Keywords

• Defense communications systems
• Tactical mesh networks
• Electronic warfare sensors
• Asset tracking devices
• Edge computing platforms

Headquarters

HQ city

Fremont

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Defense Government Contracts: IoT/AI generates revenue through direct defense contracts with U.S. military branches including Air Force, Navy, Army, Marines, and Special Operations Command. These are typically multi-year development and production contracts for specialized hardware and software systems. The company was awarded a $15.5M U.S. Air Force contract (FA7000-26-C-0007) for advanced electronic warfare technology.
2. Dual-Use Commercial Products: Sale of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) products adapted for military use, including PicoMote, PicoTag, PicoBadge, SmartRock, and SmartBox systems. Products are sold to defense and industrial customers with configurable solutions for specific operational requirements.
3. Custom Development & Prototyping: Revenue from prototyping programs and custom development projects, such as the adaptation of commercial technology for U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command's emergency aircrew response needs. Projects may lead to programs of record.
4. Platform Licensing (Implied): The company develops the Pico Platform™ which serves as the foundation for multiple product lines. Revenue may include licensing of the platform technology for integration into customer systems.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

IoT/AI designs, develops, and sells cyber-hardened, AI-enabled sensor and communications platforms for defense and industrial customers. Its flagship Pico Platform™ delivers stealthy LPI/LPD communications, an AI-powered autoconfiguring mesh network, and edge analytics in an ultra-low Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) modular embedded system that integrates with 4,000+ sensor types. A portfolio of standalone products (PicoMote, PicoTAK-X, PicoTag, PicoBadge, SmartBox, SmartRock, SmartCam, PicoUAV) is built on this platform and supplied to U.S. military branches, special operations forces, and industrial operators.

Product overview

IoT/AI offers a platform-plus-modules architecture anchored by the Pico Platform™ core technology. The platform provides LPI/LPD communications, sensor integration, and edge analytics in an ultra-low SWaP embedded system. The product portfolio includes PicoMote (sensor processing platform), PicoTAK-X (ATAK connectivity), PicoTag (asset tracking), PicoBadge (personnel alerting), SmartBox (covert ISR sensors), SmartRock (EW detection/disruption), SmartCam (AI visual recognition), and PicoUAV (unmanned comms). These products work together across land, sea, air, and cyberspace domains, connecting sensors, assets, and teams with secure edge intelligence and mission-ready communications. The company also provides solution-specific platforms including PicoEW™ ISR sensors, Joint Health Risk Management (JHRM), and Burn Patient Transfer System (BPTS) for specialized applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Pico Platform™: Powerful, reconfigurable edge compute processor platform: tiny, modular, and designed to tackle the toughest tech challenges.
• PicoMote
• PicoTAK-X
• PicoTag
• PicoBadge
• SmartBox
• SmartRock
• Pico Anywhere Suite™

Products and services

• PicoMote Ultra-low SWaP, secure, rugged modular platform for sensor data processing and communication; compatible with multiple power sources and built for reliable long-range transmission in demanding environments.
• PicoTAK-X Ultra-secure, rugged platform with ultra-low SWaP providing LPI/LPD connectivity for ATAK (Android Tactical Awareness Kit) devices; eliminates single points of failure via modular radio options and enables secure coordination in high-noise, signal-contested environments.
• PicoTag Advanced asset tracking tags that create a self-organizing, long-range mesh network for contested logistics, industrial operations, and flightline environments; works in GPS-denied and RF-challenged areas.
• PicoBadge Next-generation personnel alerting device providing secure real-time communication, dynamic network optimization, alerting, audio commands, and acknowledgement capabilities for military, emergency, and industrial personnel.
• SmartBox Covert ISR sensors featuring RF sensors, magnetometers, and infrasound technology in stealthy, deployable devices for advanced intelligence and surveillance operations.
• SmartRock Expendable, ruggedized covert Electronic Warfare (EW) detection, deception, and disruption device featuring ultra-low SWaP, extremely secure LPI/LPD bidirectional mesh communication, and ATAK/COP integration.
• SmartCam AI-enabled visual recognition systems integrated with perimeter security solutions, leveraging LPI/LPD radio and autonomous mesh to detect and relay threats in cluttered or RF-hostile environments.
• PicoUAV Resilient unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) communications solution designed for autonomous operations, extended mission capability, and integration with UAV platforms.
• Pico Platform™ The core technology platform delivering stealthy LPI/LPD communications, sensor integration, and edge analytics in an open, modular, and secure embedded system engineered for ultra-low SWaP and cost efficiency; supports 4,000+ sensor types and forms a dynamic next-generation mesh network.

Quantifiable outcome

• Contract value of $15.5 million for advanced electronic warfare technology
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability5 records

Feature11 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• U.S. Air ForcecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIoT/AI has a significant partnership with the U.S. Air Force, including a $15.5M contract (FA7000-26-C-0007) for advanced electronic warfare technology awarded in 2026. The company has also worked with AFGSC on emergency aircrew alerting systems, adapting commercial technology for military use through the STRIKEWERX innovation program.
• U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIoT/AI products are field-proven in SOCOM exercises including Trident Spectre. The company provides tactical communications and ISR solutions for special operations forces operating in challenging environments.
• Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDIU is a defense partner of IoT/AI, working with the company on dual-use technology development and accelerating commercial technology for defense applications.
• U.S. NavycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIoT/AI products are used by the U.S. Navy in exercises including SilentSwarm (NAVWAR). Solutions include shipboard communications, perimeter security, and asset tracking for naval operations.
• U.S. MarinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIoT/AI provides tactical operations support and communications systems for U.S. Marine Corps operations.
• U.S. ArmycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIoT/AI engages with the U.S. Army to identify use cases where dual-use commercial-off-the-shelf technology can support Army requirements.
• STRIKEWERXcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTRIKEWERX is the innovation arm of AFGSC Office of the Chief Scientist. IoT/AI has participated in multiple STRIKEWERX challenges including the Emergency Aircrew Response Challenge, adapting commercial products for military use through rapid prototyping programs.
• Android Tactical Awareness Kit (ATAK) PlatformcoreTechnology or IntegrationIoT/AI products including PicoTAK-X, PicoBadge, and SmartRock integrate with the Android Tactical Awareness Kit (ATAK) platform for seamless team cooperation and command operations. Products enable secure ATAK connectivity with no required infrastructure.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions: Curtiss-Wright provides rugged tactical communications, sensor processing, and mission computing platforms broadly comparable to PicoMote/PicoUAV serving similar airborne, naval, and ground defense programs.
• Teledyne FLIR Defense: Teledyne FLIR supplies tactical ISR sensors and unmanned ground systems to the U.S. military; its Black Hornet nano-UAS and perimeter sensor portfolio overlap with IoT/AI's SmartBox/SmartRock ISR and PicoUAV offerings.
• Thales: Thales is a global defense and security prime with tactical radios, EW suites, and sensor platforms that overlap with IoT/AI's communications, EW detection, and ISR offerings, especially in coalition/ally programs.
• Sierra Nevada Corporation: Sierra Nevada Corporation is a midsize defense prime delivering tactical communications, EW, and ISR solutions to SOCOM and Air Force customers, serving the same contracts and exercises where IoT/AI has field-proven its products.
• L3Harris Technologies: L3Harris is a Tier-1 defense prime with established tactical communications, EW, and ISR programs (Falcon radios, AN/PRC-163). It competes broadly with IoT/AI across the same U.S. military customers with much larger program-of-record incumbency.
• BAE Systems: BAE Systems is a global defense prime providing EW, C4ISR, and tactical communications solutions. It is a broad incumbent in the same end-customer set as IoT/AI's defense and industrial IoBT use cases.

Emerging players

• Anduril Industries: Anduril is an emerging defense tech prime building Lattice (sensor fusion, autonomous mesh) and tactical hardware, competing for the same SOCOM and DIU funding pools as IoT/AI.

Direct peers

• Persistent Systems: Persistent Systems builds the MPU5 and Wave Relay tactical mesh networking radios widely fielded across SOCOM, Army, and DIU programs. It is a direct competitor to IoT/AI's modular sensor-and-comms platform for contested-environment operations.
• Silvus Technologies: Silvus manufactures tactical mesh radio systems (StreamCaster) for defense and public safety. Its LPI/LPD-capable mobile ad-hoc networking directly competes with IoT/AI's Pico Platform mesh and LPI/LPD radio in the same DoD customer base.
• Doodle Labs: Doodle Labs develops long-range, mesh-capable radio modules for defense, UAV, and industrial IoT, overlapping with IoT/AI's PicoMote and PicoUAV product lines serving robotics and tactical edge networks.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IoT/AI