Yehor Moroz, a master’s student at Hof University of Applied Sciences, won the “Alps-Adriatic Innovation Star Award” as part of the international FireCat team, which he joined for the hackathon. The jury awarded the special prize at the EUDIS Defense Hackathon 2026 in Klagenfurt, Austria, for an innovative concept designed to better protect soldiers from drone threats.
Yehor Moroz earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Hof University of Applied Sciences and is now pursuing a master’s degree with a focus on simulation. As part of his master’s program, Moroz is currently completing an internship at the Institute for Hydrogen and Energy Technology (IWE) at Hof University of Applied Sciences. However, he participated in the hackathon independently of his work at the institute.
Together with his teammates Bine Oder, Bostjan Marolt, Andraž Z., and Vadym Soroka, he developed an integrated protection concept that combines several technologies: the multispectral camouflage solution “MULCAM” and the portable surveillance system “6th Sense.” The approach is complemented by a mobile drone detection system that uses LiDAR technology to scan the surroundings within a 360-degree radius.
The goal is to warn soldiers early on of approaching drones. To achieve this, targeted haptic signals will be used—that is, warnings that the wearer perceives through vibrations or other tactile stimuli without having to look at a display or listen for audible signals. The war in Ukraine demonstrates how significantly the increasing use of drones is changing conditions on the modern battlefield. Small attack drones and FPV drones, in particular, pose a considerable threat to soldiers. This makes technical solutions that can detect such threats early on—and thereby help protect troops—all the more important.
“Developments in Ukraine show how important it has become to better protect soldiers from drone threats. I therefore believe it is important to work on such technologies. Especially in the defense and dual-use sectors, it is not just about technical innovations, but also about protecting human lives and preventing injuries.”
Yehor Moroz
Three Days for New Ideas
The EUDIS Defense Hackathon took place from October 15 to 17, 2026, under the theme “Autonomy on the Battlefield.” A hackathon is a time-limited competition in which teams collaborate to develop solutions for a specific technical or societal challenge. Within just a few days, ideas are gathered, technical approaches are evaluated, and initial concepts are developed, which are then presented to a jury.
In Klagenfurt, international teams worked on technological solutions to current challenges in the defense sector. FireCat focused on the question of how soldiers can better protect themselves against new drone threats. The “Alps-Adriatic Innovation Star Award” recognizes the team for its approach and the potential of its solution.
Guest at Defense Trade Show
The special prize also includes an invitation to present the project at the international defense trade fair SIDEC, taking place November 10–12, 2026, in Celje, Slovenia. Yehor Moroz was also invited to accompany the team there. The event offers an opportunity to present the developed approach to an international audience of experts and to establish new contacts in the defense industry.
Further information: EUDIS Defense Hackathon 2026 and Carinthian Chamber of Commerce: EUDIS Defense Hackathon in Klagenfurt.
