Iris Automation Secures $13M for Drone Safety Technology

The widespread integration of drones into daily logistics operations is approaching, though several obstacles remain, particularly concerning regulatory frameworks. Iris Automation is creating computer vision solutions designed to streamline the process of establishing regulations for unmanned aircraft, utilizing its detect-and-avoid technology compatible with diverse camera systems. The company recently secured $13 million in Series B funding to refine and broaden its technology, and to showcase its effectiveness in collaboration with regulatory bodies.

I had the opportunity to speak with Iris Automation’s CEO, Jon Damush, and Tess Hatch, VP at Bessemer Venture Partners and an Iris Automation investor, regarding the funding round and the company’s advancements and objectives. Damush, who assumed the CEO role earlier this year, discussed his background at Boeing, his personal experience as a pilot, and the influence of affordable, readily available electric motors, batteries, and advanced computing on the growth of the commercial UAV sector.

“The availability of these components has broken down longstanding barriers within the aerospace industry, democratizing the tools needed to create flying machines more easily than ever before,” Damush explained. “This, coupled with the possibility of removing the human pilot from the equation, presents unique challenges – most notably within the regulatory landscape.”

Damush clarifies that aviation regulations, as defined by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and similar organizations globally, generally fall into two categories. The first pertains to operational procedures – ensuring flights are conducted safely and correctly. The second, however, centers on the pilot, and adapting regulations to accommodate pilotless aircraft presents a more complex issue.

“A significant regulatory hurdle lies within section 91.113b, which stipulates that, given suitable weather conditions, the pilot is ultimately responsible for visually avoiding other aircraft. This isn’t a mandated separation distance; it’s a crucial safety net, a final safeguard that comes into play when all other safety measures fail to prevent a potential collision.”

Iris Automation addresses this challenge with an optical camera-based system for obstacle avoidance, employing computer vision to replicate this final layer of defense in the absence of a pilot. This capability unlocks a key limitation in the current drone regulatory environment: the ability to operate aircraft beyond visual line of sight. This means drones can function without the constant requirement of an operator maintaining direct visual contact. While this initially suggests benefits for long-distance flights, Damush emphasizes that it’s more about scalability – transitioning from one operator per drone to one operator managing a fleet, which is where the economic advantages of commercial drone transportation become substantial.

Iris Automation has been actively working towards this goal, collaborating with the FAA this year through its integrated pilot program to demonstrate the system in two distinct applications. The company also launched the second iteration of its Casia system, offering significantly improved long-range object detection capabilities. Hatch highlighted these achievements as key factors in Bessemer’s decision to increase its investment, and when asked about the impact of COVID-19 on the commercial drone market, she noted its considerable influence and the resulting shift in industry focus.

“Currently, the two leading sectors are agriculture and public safety enforcement,” Hatch stated. “Public safety enforcement wasn’t a major focus last year; agriculture, construction, and energy were. The drone industry has seen a significant rise in this vertical – envision a scenario where someone experiences a heart attack or allergic reaction, and an ambulance takes an average of 14 minutes to arrive, while a drone could deliver an AED or epinephrine within minutes, potentially saving a life. I hope this trend continues even after the pandemic subsides.”

This Series B funding round includes investments from Bee Partners, OCA Ventures, and new strategic investors Sony Innovation Fund and Verizon Ventures (disclosure: TechCrunch is owned by Verizon Media Group, though we have no involvement, direct or otherwise, with their venture arm). Damush pointed out Sony’s potential strategic value, given its development of much of the imaging sensor technology used in drones, as well as its own drone development efforts. Verizon, meanwhile, offers crucial partnership opportunities in connectivity, which is essential for managing large-scale drone operations.