• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Subscribe
  • Your Membership
    • Edit Your Profile
  • Services
    • Advertising
    • Case studies
    • Design
    • Email marketing
    • Lead generation
    • Magazine
    • Press releases
    • Publishing
    • Sponsored posts
    • Webcasting
    • Webinars
    • White papers
    • Writing
  • Shop
    • My Account
    • Cart
  • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy
    • Terms of use
  • Events

Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

  • News
  • Features
  • Video
  • Webinars
  • White papers
  • Press releases
  • Featured companies
    • AMD Xilinx
    • BlueBotics
    • Elite Robot
    • RGo Robotics
    • SICK Sensor Intelligence
    • Vicor Power
natilus drone

Natilus raises new funds to launch pilotless freight aircraft

November 23, 2017 by Sam Francis

Natilus, a manufacturer of large aircraft drones, has closed a second round of seed funding with investment from Starburst Ventures, Seraph Group, Gelt VC, Outpost Capital and Draper Associates.

The funds – the amount was not disclosed – will go toward what the company calls its “aggressive scaling strategy”, with the first Federal Aviation Administration-approved flight for its 30-foot prototype scheduled for late 2017, and a commercial market launch in 2020.

Just as the long-haul freight sector has made huge strides in efficiency gains and cost reduction due to technology innovation, Natilus says the $15.5 trillion global freight market is poised for disruption as it strives to offer customers more cost-effective delivery solutions beyond the decades-old vessels and aircraft which serve as its primary sources of transport. 

Natilus has identified what it calls “the sweet spot” between sea and air freight in the international freight market, offering a large cargo-capacity UAV that challenges current incumbents on price and speed of commercial-scale freight delivery.

François Chopard, founder and CEO of Starburst Ventures, says: “Two years ago, Natilus gave its pitch for the first time at our Los Angeles selection committee, and that exposure led to its initial seed round.

 

“Today 47 per cent of Starburst’s portfolio companies have now closed Series A rounds at an average of $10 million.

“We were pleased to provide the technical and business due diligence, and now investment, to take Natilus to the next level. That’s the perfect demonstration of our investment strategy in action.”

Natilus Drone

Tuff Yen, founder and president of Seraph Group, says: “Today’s freight sector is limited to just two choices when it comes to meeting customer demand – an expensive 14-hour route by air or a slow-going 21-day ocean trip. Why haven’t there been more options?

“Natilus’ value proposition, the ability to provide cost-effective cargo container-sized air options, creates a far-reaching impact on cost of goods, logistics, finance and commerce.”

Astral Aviation, a leading air freight provider in Africa, says it is “excited for Natilus’ progress in developing large cargo drones for the industry”.

Sanjeev Gadhia, CEO of Astral Aviation, says: “Astral is looking to incorporate aerial vehicles such as Natilus into their African network to complement their current schedule and improve cargo connectivity in Africa.”

Outpost Capital says it is “a believer in globalization”.

Ryan Wang, founding partner of Outpost Capital, says: “Over the last 10 years we’ve seen a stable increase in demand for cross-border air delivery.

“In China, the logistic industry has been developing rapidly domestically, and will be getting ready for global expansion – Natilus is positioned to do just that.”

Natilus’ large-scale drones will be comprised of carbon fiber composites while using existing turbofan and turboprop engines, scaling to a long-term vision of 950,000-pound airplanes carrying 120 tons over trans-Pacific routes.

Its next vehicle, a 12,000-pound drone capable of carrying two tons over 1,000 nautical miles, will feature retractable landing gear and will be capable of taking off and landing at local regional airports.

Jake Chapman, partner at Gelt VC, says: “The foundation of our thesis is to align and support the outliers that are pushing the boundaries in frontier tech, and we see Natilus as a first mover that is poised to impact global freight in a positive and meaningful way.

“With a high caliber team out of Boeing, Airbus and the drone sector, Natilus’ ability to dramatically reduce the cost and time of transporting cargo bodes well for the sector.”

Tim Draper, founding partner of Draper Associates, says: “Natilus is well positioned to be the leader in fast, inexpensive delivery of goods.

“It turns out that a self-flying vehicle can be more reliable and less expensive than one with a human in it.”

Aleksey Matyushev, CEO of Natilus, says: Natilus’ partnerships with this incredible group of investors is an important milestone in our continued growth.

“The new round of financing will allow us to scale the team to finish design of our 12,000-pound e-commerce drone, while at the same time growing our flight-testing operation for our 2,200-pound, 30-foot prototype.”

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Share this:

  • Print
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • Skype
  • WhatsApp
  • Telegram
  • Pocket

You might also like…

Filed Under: News Tagged With: drones, natilus

Join the Robotics & Automation News community

Primary Sidebar

Latest articles

  • Jabil to manufacture Sarcos’ robotic systems
  • Smart Robotics launches new robotic mixed case palletizer
  • ForwardX Robotics launches competition to win free fleet of robots
  • Features Your E-commerce Business Must Have to Grow Sales
  • Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Pro Player Settings
  • Truly Free VPN Providers
  • Qualcomm releases ‘groundbreaking IoT and robotics’ platforms
  • Agility Robotics launches next generation of its humanoid worker robot
  • MasterMover partners with BlueBotics for AGV Navigation
  • Neubility raises 3 billion won investment from Samsung

Most Read

  • Stiga launches ‘world’s smartest’ autonomous lawn mower
    Stiga launches ‘world’s smartest’ autonomous lawn mower
  • Top 20 electric vehicle charging station companies
    Top 20 electric vehicle charging station companies
  • Agility Robotics launches next generation of its humanoid worker robot
    Agility Robotics launches next generation of its humanoid worker robot
  • Difference Between Three-Phase and Single-Phase Power
    Difference Between Three-Phase and Single-Phase Power
  • Top 20 programmable logic controller manufacturers
    Top 20 programmable logic controller manufacturers
  • DeepRoute.ai launches $1,000 ‘map-free’ self-driving solution
    DeepRoute.ai launches $1,000 ‘map-free’ self-driving solution
  • Scientists have found more water in space than they ever knew possible
    Scientists have found more water in space than they ever knew possible
  • What You Need to Know About Fixing an Engine Misfire
    What You Need to Know About Fixing an Engine Misfire
  • MobileDrive builds next generation ADAS with Siemens’ digital twin technology
    MobileDrive builds next generation ADAS with Siemens’ digital twin technology
  • Why is My Car Key Stuck in the Ignition?
    Why is My Car Key Stuck in the Ignition?

Overused words

ai applications automated automation automotive autonomous business companies company control customers data design development digital electric global industrial industry logistics machine manufacturing market mobile operations platform process production robot robotic robotics robots safety software solution solutions system systems technologies technology time vehicle vehicles warehouse work

Secondary Sidebar

Latest news

  • Jabil to manufacture Sarcos’ robotic systems
  • Smart Robotics launches new robotic mixed case palletizer
  • ForwardX Robotics launches competition to win free fleet of robots
  • Features Your E-commerce Business Must Have to Grow Sales
  • Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Pro Player Settings
  • Truly Free VPN Providers
  • Qualcomm releases ‘groundbreaking IoT and robotics’ platforms
  • Agility Robotics launches next generation of its humanoid worker robot
  • MasterMover partners with BlueBotics for AGV Navigation
  • Neubility raises 3 billion won investment from Samsung

Footer

We are…

Robotics and Automation News was established in May, 2015, and is now one of the most widely-read websites in its category.

Please consider supporting us by becoming a paying subscriber, or through advertising and sponsorships, or by purchasing products and services through our shop – or a combination of all of the above.

Thank you.

Independent

Archivists

November 2017
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
27282930  
« Oct   Dec »

Complex

Old-skool

This website and its associated magazine, and weekly newsletter, are all produced by a small team of experienced journalists and media professionals.

If you have any suggestions or comments, feel free to contact us at any of the email addresses on our contact page.

We’d be happy to hear from you, and will always reply as soon as possible.

Future-facing

Free, fair and legal

We support the principles of net neutrality and equal opportunities.

Member of The Internet Defense League

Copyright © 2023 · News Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT