Iris Automation Inc. has raised $1.5 million to bring "sense and avoid" technology, and truly self-flying capabilities, to drones used for industrial tasks. Even for human pilots, identifying obstacles and deciding precisely how to maneuver a fast-flying aircraft around them poses a serious challenge. Iris' technology analyzes and draws insights from videos captured by cameras onboard a drone in real time. "We're designing this to work like a human pilot's vision and decision-making process," says Iris Automation CEO and co-founder Alexander Harmsen. Iris Automation, a Y Combinator company, is not alone in the quest to develop computer vision systems that can make unmanned aerial vehicles, and eventually other robotics and vehicles, truly autonomous.

Iris Automation Inc. has raised $1.5 million to bring "sense and avoid" technology, and truly self-flying capabilities, to drones used for industrial tasks. Even for human pilots, identifying obstacles and deciding precisely how to maneuver a fast-flying aircraft around them poses a serious challenge. Iris' technology analyzes and draws insights from videos captured by cameras on-board a drone in real time. "We're designing this to work like a human pilot's vision and decision-making process," says Iris Automation CEO and cofounder Alexander Harmsen. Iris Automation, a Y Combinator company, is not alone in the quest to develop computer vision systems that can make unmanned aerial vehicles, and eventually other robotics and vehicles, truly autonomous.

"Really, we're building collision avoidance for industrial drones," said Alexander Harmsen, CEO and co-founder of Iris Automation. "We see this huge need for industrial drones for mining exploration, pipeline inspection, agricultural surveying, forestry, or even package delivery." Without a way to avoid mid-air collisions, drones risk crashing into a Cessna, a flock of geese or a 747. Worst case scenario: a drone gets sucked into a jet engine causing catastrophic engine failure as high-velocity bits of metal penetrate fuel tanks, hydraulic lines and the cabin. Iris Automation's solution is an AI computer that blends real-time images and 3D maps to track incoming objects.

"Really, we're building collision avoidance for industrial drones," said Alexander Harmsen, CEO and co-founder of Iris Automation. "We see this huge need for industrial drones for mining exploration, pipeline inspection, agricultural surveying, forestry, or even package delivery." Without a way to avoid mid-air collisions, drones risk crashing into a Cessna, a flock of geese or a 747. Worst case scenario: a drone gets sucked into a jet engine causing catastrophic engine failure as high-velocity bits of metal penetrate fuel tanks, hydraulic lines and the cabin. Iris Automation's solution is an AI computer that blends real-time images and 3D maps to track incoming objects.