ProMat preview: Its time to cut the cord

Last week's breaking news story on The Robot Report was unfortunately the demise of Helen Greiner's company, CyPhy Works (d/b/a Aria Insights). The high-flying startup raised close to $40 million since its creation in 2008, making it the second business founded by an iRobot alum that has shuttered within five months. While it is not immediately clear why the tethered-drone company went bust, it does raise important questions about the long-term market opportunities for leashed robots. The tether concept is not exclusive to Greiner's company, there are a handful of drone companies that vie for marketshare, including: FotoKite, Elistair, and HoverFly. The primary driver towards chaining an Unmanned Ariel Vehicle (UAV) is bypassing the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) ban on beyond line of sight operations.