Why is latency important in Sensor Systems?

The primary purpose of a Sensor System is to provide a user with data (or better, information) to close the OODA loop. In a video centric device, such as Hydra, getting the data out of the sensor quickly maximises the time for the human operator to establish situational awareness, process image content and make decisions.

Latency is even more crucial in autonomous Sensor Systems powered by edge AI/ML, such as PodView. Here latency directly impacts the system’s ability to generate real-time information. Low latency ensures that data is processed and analysed quickly, allowing the system to respond almost instantaneously to changes or anomalies, closing the OODA loop at machine speeds. This is vital for applications where real-time responses are critical, such as in Force Protection or Counter UAS.