Oko Camera has launched a new thermal imaging series aimed at the growing demand for AI-enabled autonomous systems on the battlefield. The Ukrainian defence technology company unveiled Oko Pro, a thermal camera designed specifically for computer vision applications in unmanned aerial systems, robotic platforms, and targeting solutions.
“The Oko Pro series is a direct response to the needs of unmanned systems manufacturers and defense operators utilizing computer vision who require a thermal camera perfectly tailored to their mission specifics,” said Denys Nikolaenko, CEO. “A pivotal achievement for our engineering team was developing our own proprietary electronics from scratch, giving us absolute control over the hardware architecture.”
The Oko Pro series streams both uncompressed thermal data for AI models and a processed video feed for human operators, allowing autonomous systems and personnel to work from the same sensor simultaneously. The cameras feature a dual MIPI CSI-2 and USB 2.0 interface, on-board video processing, and latency as low as 17 milliseconds at 60Hz, enabling rapid target detection and engagement in time-sensitive environments.
Built around a 640×480 thermal sensor with a sensitivity rating below 30 mK, Oko Pro is designed to maintain visibility at long ranges and in poor weather conditions. The company says the product line includes seven models with lens options ranging from 6 mm to 150 mm, allowing manufacturers to tailor systems for reconnaissance, navigation, targeting, and counter-drone missions.
A notable aspect of the system is its compatibility with widely used edge computing platforms, including Raspberry Pi and NVIDIA Jetson devices. This makes integration with existing AI and computer vision stacks significantly easier for drone and robotics developers.
Founded in 2022, Oko Camera develops thermal imaging systems for drones, ground robots, turrets, and optical navigation platforms. The company holds Brave1 status and has been recognised in Forbes’ Next 250 and the Top 100 Rising Ukrainian Startups 2026 rankings.
The decision to build the camera in Ukraine reflects a broader trend among the country’s defence technology manufacturers. As demand for advanced sensors, drones, electronic warfare systems, and autonomous platforms continues to grow, Ukrainian companies are increasingly developing and producing critical hardware domestically rather than relying on foreign suppliers.
For firms like Oko Camera, local production is about more than national pride. It is a practical response to the realities of modern warfare. By designing and manufacturing key components inside Ukraine, these companies help create a more resilient supply chain that is less vulnerable to export restrictions, geopolitical pressure, production bottlenecks, or disruptions from overseas vendors. The result is faster development cycles, greater control over product quality, and a more reliable flow of equipment to military units operating at the front.
