Boeing invests in autonomous flight tech provider

Boeing Co said on Thursday it invested in Near Earth Autonomy, a Pittsburgh-based firm that develops technologies enabling autonomous flight such as drones. In addition to the undisclosed investment, Boeing said the two companies will also explore products and applications for emerging markets such as urban mobility. It was the first investment in autonomous technologies by Boeing's venture capital arm, Boeing HorizonX, since it was established in April of this year, Boeing said. Near Earth Autonomy, a spin-off from the Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute, develops technologies including sensor suites, three dimensional mapping and survey, and collision detection and avoidance that enables aircraft to operate autonomously. Near Earth Autonomy, a spin-off from the Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute, develops technologies including sensor suites, three dimensional mapping and survey, and collision detection and avoidance that enables aircraft to operate autonomously. Just some of the firm's core technologies include: Sensor suites: Near Earth sensor packages perceive the world in 3D, enabling mapping and surveying for piloted and autonomous aircraft.