Reliable Robotics Raises $160M in Funding

The round also saw participation from Eclipse, Lightspeed, Coatue and Pathbreaker Ventures. New investors included Island Green Capital, Socium Ventures (Cox Enterprises), AE Ventures (a strategic partner of the Boeing Company), RTX Ventures, Presidio Ventures (Sumitomo Corporation), UP Partners, KAS Venture Partners, What If Ventures, Calm Ventures, Gaingels and Mana Ventures.

Reliable’s progress in certification puts it in a strong position to support U.S. efforts to lead in aviation technology. The company is working to certify its RAS for commercial use, and the FAA has already accepted its plans, compliance methods, and key documents. Reliable is now quickly delivering the required materials in accordance with the agreed plan.

Aviation is essential for global travel, but preventable accidents, limited infrastructure, and challenges in increasing aircraft use are slowing growth. Reliable’s new aircraft autonomy system is designed to improve safety, access, and connectivity for both commercial and military operations. It helps prevent common causes of accidents and works with existing aircraft and aviation systems, without needing changes to the National Airspace System for commercial use.

In March, Reliable, along with the City of Albuquerque, was selected for the U.S. Department of Transportation and FAA’s Advanced Air Mobility Integration Pilot Program, which will help speed up autonomous regional air cargo operations and support its certification work. Last August, the company also announced a contract with the United States Air Force to provide automated air cargo services in the Indo-Pacific region. Both programs are set to begin operations this year.

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“Autonomy is the inevitable requirement for maximum safety and performance,” said John Burbank of Nimble Partners. Burbank will join Reliable’s Board of Directors.

“Aviation is vital to our economy and national security, but to meet demand it needs to be able to scale safely,” said Robert Rose, CEO and co-founder, Reliable Robotics. “Automation eases constraints, enabling us to realize greater levels of throughput at even higher levels of safety.”

“Reliable’s dual-use approach to aircraft autonomy, grounded in leading FAA certification progress, is delivering operational capability today,” said General Richard D. Clarke (ret.), former commander, U.S. Special Operations Command. “Autonomous systems give U.S. forces the agility and freedom of movement needed to execute modern operational concepts, and Reliable is positioned to deliver this mission-critical advantage where it matters most.”

“The FAA is building the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world. Advances in autonomous technologies can only be made when they are certified and in alignment with the agency’s safety objectives,” said Lirio Liu, former executive director of the FAA Aircraft Certification Service. “Reliable Robotics has demonstrated its ability to work toward the certification of its autonomy system with the highest levels of rigor.”

About Reliable Robotics

Founded in 2017, by Robert Rose and Juerg Frefel, Reliable Robotics develops autonomous technology for commercial and defense aviation. Its system is designed to work on any aircraft and in any airspace, helping reduce the most common causes of aviation incidents. The company aims to make air transport safer, more affordable, and easier to scale for moving goods and people. It is based in Mountain View, California and has a global team.

Read More:Reliable Robotics Raises $160M in Funding