Overview
- Reliable Robotics, which announced the raise on Tuesday, secured a $115 million equity extension plus $25 million in debt that pushed its post-money valuation above $1 billion and extended its runway.
- The company plans to use the funds to scale production of its Reliable Autonomy System, grow staff and facilities, and open a Bothell, Washington radar center for in-house collision-avoidance development.
- Reliable is pursuing a staged FAA certification pathway with a first product—continuous autopilot engagement that keeps a pilot onboard—targeted for approval in about 18 to 24 months, a solid-state radar certification aimed by the end of 2027, and remote ground-control approval at least three years out.
- The firm is seeking separate approval for operator operations through its Albuquerque-based Reliable Airlines, which currently flies six Cessna Caravans for cargo and would be the initial operator of the retrofit system.
- Reliable says it holds more than 200 commercial and government commitments, including a roughly $17.4 million U.S. Air Force contract and NASA SBIR agreements, and FAA decisions will be the key determinant of when those commitments translate into regular autonomous service.