American firm Reliable Robotics raises $100 mn in Series C funding

Reliable Robotics is positioned to unlock access to thousands of underutilised regional and municipal airports in the country, greatly expanding air transportation options for cargo. The company’s technology handles all phases of flight including taxi, takeoff, landing and parking, while licensed pilots remotely supervise each flight from a control centre. The system has the capability to autoland on smaller airstrips in rural or remote areas without requiring expensive infrastructure to be installed and maintained, the company said in a media release.

“Automated aircraft present a massive opportunity to transform the cargo industry over the next several years,” said Jeff Drees, former co-owner and chief commercial officer of Ameriflight, the largest regional air cargo carrier in the world. “Remotely piloted cargo delivery provides a huge advantage with low cost, anytime, anywhere flights that increase aircraft utilisation and availability.” Drees recently joined Reliable Robotics to build its airline subsidiary and deliver cargo services while preparing for the adoption and scaling of remotely operated aircraft.

Reliable Robotics has made substantial progress in key development areas throughout its phased approach to certification, deepening its regulatory experience with ongoing engagement with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). As part of this work, the company has received key authorizations from the FAA for the flight of experimental unmanned aircraft.

Planned expansion of the company’s aircraft program to additional, larger airframes will further demonstrate the versatility of its system. The company also intends to support emerging electric and hybrid electric platforms and eventually passenger aircraft.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)