Reliable Robotics receives FAA approval for testing and certifying automated aircraft systems.
The U.S. Department of Defense and NASA show interest in utilizing Reliable's technology.
CEO Robert Rose anticipates the integration of automated systems on passenger planes by the decade's end.
Robert Rose, CEO and co-founder of Mountain View-based Reliable Robotics, is optimistic about the future of aviation automation. Drawing from his previous executive roles at industry giants like Tesla and SpaceX, Rose foresees a revolution in aerial transport. He projects that by the close of the current decade, we'll witness the assimilation of Reliable's autonomous mechanisms into mainstream passenger aircraft, culminating a rigorous ten-year span of validation and testing.
In a recent announcement, it was revealed that Reliable Robotics, a frontrunner from Silicon Valley in the realm of automating fixed-wing planes, has clinched the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) endorsement. This pivotal authorization paves the way for the startup to commence its strategic mission: the testing and certification of holistic automated aviation systems. Rose, charting the company's trajectory, estimates that within three to four years, these aircraft will be capable of significant remote operations.
The broader implications of Reliable's innovations have attracted the attention of pivotal governmental bodies. The U.S. Department of Defense, actively partnering in the endeavor, signals its eagerness to infuse the KC-135, Boeing 707's military version from the 1950s, with Reliable's state-of-the-art software and hardware. This aircraft, despite its age, remains a mainstay for functions like refueling and cargo transportation. Concurrently, NASA, on its quest for breakthroughs in advanced aerial mobility, has partnered with the tech gurus at Reliable. Their collective aim is to harness test data to sculpt the flight procedures of tomorrow's aviation models. On the fiscal front, 2021 saw Reliable amass a commendable $100 million from investors. While not aggressively chasing funds, Rose concedes that future capital inflows will be instrumental for the firm's trajectory.
