Residents can turn old phones into drone radars

Lithuanian residents can now repurpose old Android phones as acoustic sensors to detect drones, according to a report by LRT.

The initiative, called “Drone Radar,” allows people to use unused Android devices to create an acoustic radar system that listens for the sound of drones. Audrius Zujus, the creator of the project, says such tools are necessary to complement existing warning systems and help detect threats faster.

“We allow people to connect their old, unused Android phones to create, for the first time in the world, such an acoustic radar. This device can detect drones by listening to their buzzing sounds,” Zujus said.

Acoustic sensors are already widely used in Ukraine, where they record sounds and compare them with a database to identify whether they belong to drones or other flying objects. Lithuania has already deployed such sensors along its border, and the Ministry of National Defence is considering expanding the network.

Acting Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas noted that while these solutions could supplement existing airspace monitoring systems, the procurement process is complex and time-consuming.

Zujus acknowledged that while civilian initiatives can assist institutions, their implementation often takes too long. “We are not trying to replace institutions—we are creating a tool that they can use to make decisions and receive additional warnings. But the deployment of such tools usually takes a year, and we see that time may be running out,” he said.

As Lithuania records more air threat incidents, greater attention is being paid to civilian preparedness. Civil defence training sessions, which explain how to recognise dangers, locate the nearest shelters, and prepare emergency kits, are becoming more frequent. The Lithuanian Red Cross reports growing public interest in such training, with participants admitting they have delayed their own preparations.

“How to prepare a personal emergency kit—I’ve started thinking about it. I’ve been hearing about it for a long time, and it seems I’m doing too little,” said teacher Rasa Bruzgelevičienė.

Authorities remind residents to take responsibility for their own preparedness, including knowing the locations of nearby shelters, responding to official warnings, and keeping essential supplies for at least a few days.