Brett Harrison, co-founder of Tern AI and former U.S. special operations member, joins Shaun Moore, a technical co-founder with a background in facial recognition, to tackle the critical vulnerability of GPS dependency. They share their journeys from military and tech to founding Tern AI and stress the urgent need for signal-independent navigation solutions. The duo discusses the real-world implications of GPS failures, military risks, and innovative approaches using AI and vehicle sensors that can operate without GPS, paving the way for the future of autonomy.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
From Special Ops To Founding Tern AI
Brett moved from special operations into real estate, blockchain, and then defense tech before founding Tern AI.
His operational experience in Afghanistan motivated building positioning that survives GPS loss.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Building The Fastest Facial Recognition
Shaun started TrueFace after pivoting from hardware to high-speed facial recognition software.
They scaled to scan a billion faces per second and sold to a government contractor in 2021.
question_answer ANECDOTE
A Scorpion Shot Sparked The Partnership
Brett and Shaun first met at a mutual friend's bachelor party and bonded over late-night scorpion shots.
That quirky meeting sparked the partnership that led to Tern AI.
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In this episode of Drone Wars, Dan Magy is joined by Brett Harrison and Shaun Moore, co-founders of Tern AI, for a deep dive into one of the biggest hidden vulnerabilities in modern life—our overdependence on GPS. Drawing from elite military operations and hard-earned lessons in AI innovation, they lay out why signal-based navigation is no longer reliable—and what it means for warfighters, civilians, and the future of autonomy.
They unpack how GPS failures are already affecting real-world operations, from lost Uber drivers to compromised military missions, and explain why most "solutions" are just different flavors of the same fragile system. If you're working in autonomy, logistics, or national security, this episode is a critical look at the next battlefield: positioning.
Whether you're a founder, policymaker, or defense insider, this one is full of real-world urgency and sharp technical insight.
Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction and Background of Participants 01:50 – GPS in Modern Tech and Why It’s Failing 04:30 – Brett’s Journey: From Special Ops to Real Estate to Defense Tech 07:30 – Sean’s Start in Facial Recognition and Startup Lessons 13:20 – The Shot That Started Tern AI 17:59 – Why GPS Dependency is a National Risk 18:15 – Building Positioning Without Signal 18:31 – Military and Commercial Applications 20:38 – Future Plans: Scaling Across Vehicles, Terrain, and Use Cases
Firestorm Studios brings you The Drone Wars Podcast, a show that explores all facets of autonomous systems - ground, air, and sea - and their transformative impact on various aspects of human life, from agriculture to warfare. We feature interviews with CEOs, founders, and C-suite executives from the world's leading autonomy and robotics companies.
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