3D Robotics raises $50M to build better drones with mobile chips
Drone and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology startup 3D Robotics Inc. has just raked in a massive $50 million in a Series C funding round led by Qualcomm Ventures, the latest in a flurry of investments going into the industry.
The Berkeley, California-based startup also gains a new partner in Qualcomm itself, and will build the company’s chips and mobile phone technology into some of its upcoming consumer drones. It also plans to use the money to invest in the development of new software and UAV designs to support a range of industrial applications.
3D Robotics‘ funding round comes just weeks after the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ratified its proposed regulations on drone use in the USA, in order to “accommodate future technological innovations”. The FAA’s new guidelines states that it’s acceptable to fly drones weighing under 4.4 pounds at altitudes of less than 500 feet, and at speeds of no more than 100 miles per hour. It also says that anyone over the age of 17 can become a “drone operator”, so long as they obtain an FAA certficate before doing so. This means it’s done away with its previous, controversial requirement that all operators hold a private pilot’s license. The FAA’s guidelines are now open for public comment prior to a final decision being made.
3D Robotics welcomed the FAA’s proposals, stating that the regulations would “stimulate a huge amount of drone innovation by allowing the industry to advance at the pace of smartphones, not airplanes. This means drones that are smaller, cheaper, lighter, safer and in the hands of more users, finding more uses than ever before.”
Besides Qualcomm, Foundry Group, True Ventures, OATV, Mayfield, Shea Ventures and a number of unknown investors also participated in the round, which surpassed the original $40 million 3D Robotics was looking for.
The money far surpasses the combined $35 million 3D Robotics raised in its first two funding rounds. It’s used that money to develop a number of surveillance drones that can collect data for real estate agents, farmers and anyone else who might benefit from them.
photo credit: Quadrocopter via photopin (license)
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