ZenaTech’s ZenaDrone Advances Defense Drone Portfolio with Initial IQ Sphere Prototype for Autonomous GPS-Denied Inspections, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Missions

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Soccer ball-sized autonomous drone part of IQ Series, designed for dual-use applications including industrial inspection, public safety and critical infrastructure VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 07, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ZenaTech, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZENA) (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) ("ZenaTech"), a technology solution provider specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drone, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS, and Quantum Computing solutions, announces its ZenaDrone subsidiary has commenced prototype development of the IQ Sphere, a soccer ball-sized autonomous platform designed for defense applications including ISR (Inspection, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) and remote interaction in GPS-denied and confined environments. The platform is designed to provide real-time intelligence and situational awareness to enhance force protection during building clearance, tunnel exploration, ship boarding, and other high-risk missions. Expected commercial applications include pipeline and underground utility inspection, critical infrastructure security, underground mine inspection, and hazardous industrial operations. "Autonomous systems are transforming how defense forces and critical infrastructure operators' approach some of their most challenging missions," said Shaun Passley, Ph.D., CEO of ZenaTech. "Whether it's navigating pipelines, inspecting hazardous infrastructure, or operating in GPS-denied environments, there is growing demand for intelligent systems that can keep people out of harm's way while delivering real-time data and situational awareness. The IQ Sphere is another important step in our expanding portfolio of autonomous solutions and dual-use technologies development to address evolving defense, public safety and commercial needs." Approximately the size of a soccer ball and weighing between five and six kilograms, the IQ Sphere features a lightweight protective spherical frame and a modular architecture designed for autonomous operation in confined and GPS-denied environments. The platform is intended to provide operators with enhanced situational awareness and remote inspection capabilities while serving as a foundation for future autonomous and robotic functionality. Designed with both defense and dual-use commercial applications in mind, the IQ Sphere is being developed as a next-generation autonomous platform for operating safely in complex and hazardous environments. The IQ Sphere expands ZenaDrone's growing IQ family of autonomous systems at the development, testing or pilot stage. This includes the IQ Nano for indoor inventory management and security, IQ Square for outdoor line-of-site inspections, the IQ Quad purpose-build for land surveying, IQ Aqua autonomous underwater drone, and the IQ Glider maritime launch and refueling platform for aerial inspection and defense applications. These platforms along with the ZenaDrone 1000 and the company's counter-UAS interceptor drones and defense platform are being developed to deliver autonomous intelligence, inspection, and mission capabilities across air, land, and maritime environments.

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