Printed Aerospace, Inc. – computer vision software and firmware development

Tsiala Jobava

Last updated on December 5, 2025 | 12 min read

Introduction

Printed Aerospace, Inc. develops drones engineered for mission adaptability, using industrial-grade 3D printing and modular components to cut production time and costs. Their systems are deployed by defense contractors, industrial inspection firms, and logistics operators seeking flexible aerial platforms for real-world missions. From border surveillance and infrastructure monitoring to precision payload delivery in remote terrain, Printed Aerospace’s drones combine reliability and customization, helping clients adapt faster to evolving operational needs.

In 2024, Printed Aerospace approached DevsData LLC with a highly technical challenge: improving the Valiant Vision system, a real-time video stabilization and streaming module designed for the company’s flagship Valiant quadcopter drone. While the hardware and software framework had already been developed internally, the stabilization algorithm was not working correctly, and the system exhibited unacceptable levels of latency. Over the course of nearly seven months, DevsData LLC collaborated with Printed Aerospace engineers to debug, redesign, and optimize the system, ultimately delivering a more reliable and lower-latency solution ready for integration into mass-produced drones.

Client profile

Printed Aerospace, founded in 2022 and employing around 50 people, develops drones for both commercial and defense applications, with a strong emphasis on scalability and mission flexibility. The company’s strategy relies on industrial-grade 3D printing and supply chain efficiency to produce drones at scale while keeping costs competitive.

Its flagship product, the Valiant quadcopter, embodies these principles of adaptability and efficiency. Designed to carry payloads of up to five kilograms and operate reliably even under GPS jamming or adverse weather, the Valiant offers a modular architecture that supports a wide range of attachments – from swiveling cameras and package release systems to long-range radios.

As the company prepared to scale production and pursue new commercial and defense contracts, it faced a crucial technical hurdle: the onboard video stabilization system, a key component for real-time mission control, was not performing as required. To stay on schedule and ensure product reliability, Printed Aerospace chose to partner with DevsData LLC, outsourcing specialized IT and computer vision expertise to refine and optimize the system ahead of launch.

Project overview

At the center of this collaboration was Valiant Vision, a core software module designed to provide stabilized, low-latency video from the drone’s onboard camera. In field operations, even a single second of delay can compromise navigation accuracy and operator decision-making, making real-time video feedback critical for safety and mission control.

As Printed Aerospace prepared to move the Valiant drone from prototype to mass production, the internal team discovered that the existing video stabilization system suffered from high latency and image distortion. These issues made the drone unsuitable for high-precision missions such as reconnaissance, industrial inspection, or payload delivery, where operators depend on immediate and reliable visuals.

To resolve these challenges, Printed Aerospace partnered with DevsData LLC, seeking specialized expertise in computer vision and embedded system optimization. The goal was to transform the unstable video system into a reliable and production-ready solution capable of delivering full HD video at up to 30 frames per second with latency below 200 milliseconds.

Challenges

When DevsData LLC joined the project, the Valiant Vision system was operational but far from production-ready. Although the drone’s hardware and software framework had been built internally, the video stabilization module was not performing as expected. The footage showed visible shaking and delay, which made precise maneuvering difficult and posed a risk to the operator’s ability to respond in real time.

Printed Aerospace’s engineers had deep expertise in hardware design and aerodynamics but needed additional support in computer vision and embedded software optimization. The company sought DevsData’s help to review the system, identify the root causes of latency and image distortion, and make the module reliable enough for field deployment.

During the initial assessment, DevsData specialists found that multiple software and synchronization issues were affecting performance. The video feed was delayed by nearly two seconds, calibration between the onboard sensors and camera was inconsistent, and several optimization opportunities within the embedded environment had not been implemented. These problems limited the drone’s responsiveness and made it unsuitable for commercial and defense operations where real-time accuracy is non-negotiable.

DevsData LLC was tasked with transforming this underperforming system into a production-ready component that could meet the company’s demanding operational requirements and ensure the Valiant drone was ready for scale.

Objectives

The project objectives were defined in close collaboration with Printed Aerospace. DevsData LLC’s task was to:

• Review and debug the existing system to identify fundamental issues in code and algorithm design.
• Reimplement or refine the stabilization algorithm to ensure it produces reliable results when tested on both video samples and real-world inputs.
• Deploy and validate the solution directly on the NXP i.MX8M Mini SOM hardware, not just in simulation.
• Optimize the entire pipeline, from IMU sampling and frame synchronization to video warping and streaming, to bring latency down below 200 milliseconds.

These objectives were highly technical and measurable, aimed at ensuring the Valiant Vision system met real-time performance standards suitable for production. Achieving them would enable Printed Aerospace to integrate the module into its manufacturing line confidently. To maintain structure and traceable progress, DevsData LLC divided the engagement into four phases: debugging, algorithm development, hardware testing, and optimization.

For Printed Aerospace, achieving low-latency, stable video was critical for their drones’ global applications. We combined algorithmic expertise with embedded optimization to make that possible – bridging the gap between theory and real-world deployment.

Process of work

To deliver reliable results within a tight timeframe, DevsData LLC structured the engagement into four clearly defined phases, ensuring transparency, regular client feedback, and measurable progress throughout the seven-month collaboration.

• Phase 1: Initial review and analysis

The project began with a comprehensive audit of the existing system. DevsData LLC’s engineers collaborated with Printed Aerospace’s internal team to map out how the stabilization module interacted with the drone’s hardware and software components. This early discovery stage helped identify the main performance gaps, align expectations, and define measurable success criteria for latency and video quality.

• Phase 2: System redesign and development

Once the challenges were documented, DevsData LLC rebuilt the core stabilization logic, improving synchronization between sensors and the onboard camera. The team combined rapid prototyping with structured testing to ensure each iteration addressed real operational needs rather than theoretical benchmarks. Regular check-ins with Printed Aerospace’s engineers ensured full visibility and joint decision-making at every step.

• Phase 3: On-device testing and validation

Rather than relying solely on lab simulations, DevsData LLC deployed the solution directly onto Printed Aerospace’s embedded hardware. This hands-on approach allowed for real-world testing under the same conditions the drones would face in flight. Continuous collaboration between DevsData LLC’s software engineers and the client’s mechanical team ensured that each refinement translated into visible improvements in image stability and responsiveness.

• Phase 4: Optimization and delivery

With the system stabilized and validated, DevsData LLC focused on fine-tuning performance. Through code restructuring and hardware optimization, latency was reduced from roughly two seconds to nearly 200 milliseconds – an improvement that made the video feed suitable for live operational control. The final solution was delivered as a production-ready module, accompanied by detailed documentation and post-deployment support.

By combining technical expertise with a clear project structure and proactive communication, DevsData LLC helped Printed Aerospace transform a malfunctioning prototype into a robust, market-ready product that strengthened the company’s commercial and defense offerings.

Results

The engagement produced measurable improvements that directly enhanced Printed Aerospace’s ability to bring its Valiant drone to market. Within seven months, DevsData LLC transformed an unstable prototype into a reliable, production-ready video stabilization system.

Latency was reduced from nearly two seconds to around 200 milliseconds, enabling real-time operator control and ensuring the Valiant Vision module met the demands of field missions. The final solution passed hardware validation and was successfully integrated into the company’s pre-production units, paving the way for large-scale deployment.

For Printed Aerospace, these results went beyond technical success. The upgraded stabilization system improved operator safety, mission accuracy, and customer confidence – key factors in securing new defense and industrial contracts. By ensuring reliable performance in critical conditions, the Valiant drone gained a stronger competitive edge in the rapidly growing unmanned systems market.

This collaboration also reinforced DevsData LLC’s broader track record in computer vision and drone software engineering. Previous projects, such as developing AI-based video analytics for SkyCatch, Inc., a San Francisco-based drone technology company, underscore the firm’s consistent ability to deliver field-tested, low-latency solutions that translate complex algorithms into commercially ready performance.

Conclusion

The Valiant Vision case illustrates the complexity of embedded computer vision projects. Stabilization algorithms that appear straightforward in academic literature become significantly more challenging when implemented in resource-constrained environments where timing and latency are critical.

Through structured phases of debugging, algorithm development, hardware testing, and optimization, DevsData LLC helped Printed Aerospace resolve fundamental system issues and achieve performance close to mission-ready standards. With experience delivering 100+ complex software and embedded projects for global clients across defense, aerospace, and industrial sectors, DevsData LLC bridges the gap between theoretical models and real-world deployments. This expertise ensures that ambitious products like the Valiant drone meet the high expectations of their operators worldwide.

Contact us at general@devsdata.com or visit www.devsdata.com to learn how DevsData LLC can support your next embedded or computer vision project.