National Science Foundation

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency established in 1950 and based in Alexandria, Virginia. It is dedicated to supporting research and education in science and engineering across a wide range of disciplines. The NSF provides significant non-dilutive funding, up to $1.5 million, to startups and small businesses through its America's Seed Fund initiative, which is part of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program mandated by Congress. With an operating budget of approximately $7.8 billion, the NSF is committed to advancing fundamental research and education, thus fostering innovation and technological development in the United States.

James Donlon

Program Director

Debasis Majumdar

Program Director

Graciela Narcho

Staff Associate

Sethuraman Panchanathan

Director

Past deals in Autonomous Vehicles

Gen Auto AI

Pre Seed Round in 2023
At General Autonomy Inc. (Gen Auto AI), we are dedicated to pioneering safe, explainable AI technologies to foster trustworthy general autonomy, aimed at enhancing urban living through the use of robots. Our commitment to safety is the cornerstone of our approach, ensuring that every solution we develop meets the highest standards of reliability and security. Our innovative autonomy solutions are designed to seamlessly integrate into urban environments, offering advanced capabilities for autonomous robotic vehicles, connected and autonomous vehicles, and industrial mobile robots. Understanding the critical importance of trust in the adoption of autonomous technologies, we leverage explainable AI to ensure our systems are not only effective but also transparent and understandable. This approach empowers us to build confidence in our technologies, paving the way for a future where urban life is significantly improved through intelligent, autonomous assistance. With a focus on enhancing safety and operational efficiency, our solutions are tailored to meet the diverse needs of urban settings. Whether it’s improving transportation with connected and autonomous vehicles, optimizing logistics with industrial mobile robots, or introducing autonomous robotic vehicles to assist with urban tasks, Gen Auto AI is at the forefront of transforming urban landscapes. We are excited about the future and are diligently working to bring our services to you soon. Stay tuned for groundbreaking advancements in general autonomy from Gen Auto Ai, where safety leads and innovation transforms urban living.

Gen Auto AI

Pre Seed Round in 2023
At General Autonomy Inc. (Gen Auto AI), we are dedicated to pioneering safe, explainable AI technologies to foster trustworthy general autonomy, aimed at enhancing urban living through the use of robots. Our commitment to safety is the cornerstone of our approach, ensuring that every solution we develop meets the highest standards of reliability and security. Our innovative autonomy solutions are designed to seamlessly integrate into urban environments, offering advanced capabilities for autonomous robotic vehicles, connected and autonomous vehicles, and industrial mobile robots. Understanding the critical importance of trust in the adoption of autonomous technologies, we leverage explainable AI to ensure our systems are not only effective but also transparent and understandable. This approach empowers us to build confidence in our technologies, paving the way for a future where urban life is significantly improved through intelligent, autonomous assistance. With a focus on enhancing safety and operational efficiency, our solutions are tailored to meet the diverse needs of urban settings. Whether it’s improving transportation with connected and autonomous vehicles, optimizing logistics with industrial mobile robots, or introducing autonomous robotic vehicles to assist with urban tasks, Gen Auto AI is at the forefront of transforming urban landscapes. We are excited about the future and are diligently working to bring our services to you soon. Stay tuned for groundbreaking advancements in general autonomy from Gen Auto Ai, where safety leads and innovation transforms urban living.

MCity

Grant in 2022
MCity is an autonomous vehicle research center located on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It serves as a unique testing facility that integrates early-stage research, real-world testing, and on-road vehicle deployments. MCty brings together industry, government, and academia to collaborate on advancements in transportation, focusing on enhancing safety, sustainability, and accessibility. The center is home to renowned researchers and provides an innovative urban environment for testing new mobility technologies, aiming to benefit society as a whole.

Xona Space Systems

Grant in 2022
Xona Space Systems, Inc. is a company focused on developing and manufacturing position, navigation, and timing (PNT) satellite solutions. Established in 2019 and headquartered in San Mateo, California, the company is creating a constellation of low-cost, low-Earth orbit satellites designed to enhance navigation services for a variety of sectors, including smart transportation and infrastructure. Xona's flagship product, the Xona Pulsar, delivers high-power signals to support applications such as autonomous vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and mobile robotics. The constellation aims to provide secure, resilient, and precise navigation and timing services essential for the safe and scalable operation of modern intelligent systems.

Obsidian Sensors

Grant in 2022
Obsidian Sensors is a technology company based in La Jolla, California, founded in 2017. The company specializes in developing a glass microelectromechanical system (MEMS) aimed at enhancing the thermal sensor industry. Its innovative system employs infrared imaging technology for various applications, including security cameras and autonomous vehicles. By focusing on manufacturing efficiency, Obsidian Sensors significantly reduces the costs associated with building microbolometers while maintaining or exceeding established industry standards. This positions the company to provide clients with a viable alternative to traditional silicon-based MEMS sensors, facilitating easier access to advanced sensor technology.

Inception Robotics

Grant in 2022
Inception Robotics is focused on advancing the development of autonomous mobile robotics applications by providing a suite of cloud-based tools designed for early-stage robotics companies. Their platform offers user-friendly access to comprehensive resources that streamline the development process, thereby significantly reducing research and development costs. The company's technology facilitates the deployment of safe and socially compliant robots capable of navigating public spaces for contactless deliveries and ensuring robust indoor localization. By enabling businesses to integrate small robots into their operations, Inception Robotics aims to enhance productivity and lower overall labor expenses.

Circle Optics

Grant in 2022
Circle Optics is a technology company specializing in advanced camera systems. They develop parallax-free cameras designed to capture high-definition virtual reality video in real-time, eliminating the need for image stitching. This innovation aims to accelerate resource delivery, enhance safety in aerospace and surveillance applications, and improve immersive experiences across various industries such as entertainment, autonomous systems, and aerospace.

Ladon Robotics

Grant in 2022
Ladon Robotics is a company focused on revolutionizing the cargo shipping industry through the development of autonomous cargo ships powered by wind and solar energy. By integrating advanced solar cells into wingsails, Ladon Robotics enhances the efficiency of its vessels, allowing them to harness natural energy for propulsion and operational needs. This innovative approach enables the ships to operate autonomously, significantly reducing reliance on fuel and labor costs. With the capability to sail multiple times a day, these vessels offer a reliable and sustainable alternative to conventional cargo ships, promoting a more eco-friendly logistics solution.

Voltela

Grant in 2021
Voltela is a technology company focused on ensuring reliable connectivity for commercial drones, facilitating the growth of Beyond Visual Line Of Sight operations in the autonomous vehicle sector. It offers a patent-pending solution that utilizes existing mobile network voice channels to create prioritized, low-latency communication links. This innovative approach allows drone operators to navigate safely and efficiently, enhancing operational capabilities in a rapidly evolving industry. By addressing the critical need for dependable communication in drone operations, Voltela plays a vital role in the advancement of autonomous technology.

Lambda Function

Grant in 2021
Lambda Function specializes in developing industrial automation software that enhances precision manufacturing through advanced analytics and machine learning. The company's platform integrates real-time process parameter data from CNC machines with contextual information, including CAD and CAM data, to facilitate informed decision-making in manufacturing operations. By utilizing physics-based machine learning alongside advanced process control techniques, Lambda Function enables machine shops to improve productivity and achieve higher levels of machining autonomy, ultimately bridging the gap to autonomous manufacturing.

OWL Autonomous Imaging

Grant in 2021
Owl Autonomous Imaging, Inc. is a technology company founded in 2018 and headquartered in Fairport, New York. The company specializes in developing advanced imaging solutions, including a two-color infrared camera designed for the US Air Force and a cutting-edge 4D camera that integrates 1550nm Flash-LiDAR with thermal imaging. These innovations target the automotive mobility and industrial markets, offering Monocular 3D Thermal Ranging™ capabilities that enhance safety in various conditions by leveraging deep learning techniques to produce dense range maps from heat signatures without the need for external illumination. Co-founded by Chuck Gershman, who has extensive experience in the semiconductor industry and a track record of successful entrepreneurial ventures, Owl Autonomous Imaging aims to revolutionize how sensing technology is applied in autonomous vehicles and other sectors.

AMBOTS

Grant in 2021
AMBOTS Inc. develops innovative swarm 3D printing and assembly technologies aimed at transforming the manufacturing landscape. Utilizing a fleet of autonomous mobile robots that collaborate similarly to a swarm of bees, AMBOTS enables the automated production and assembly of a wide range of products, from everyday items to complex structures like homes and infrastructure. The company's patent-pending approach allows for manufacturing based on digital models on demand, enhancing efficiency and reducing costs. By facilitating the coordination of specialized robots to execute tasks, AMBOTS is positioned to lead the way in fully autonomous and on-demand manufacturing solutions.

Infratico

Grant in 2021
Infratico is an infrastructure analytics company that specializes in structural health monitoring, focusing on the early detection of issues such as bottom-up cracks to inform stakeholders before visible damage occurs. The company has developed EMbed technology, which enhances precision guidance and checkpointing for autonomous vehicles. This technology facilitates an Infrastructure-to-Everything (I2X) paradigm, allowing smart structures to communicate vital information. By integrating intelligence into pavement and other infrastructure, Infratico aims to improve the safety and efficiency of both autonomous and connected vehicles.

Silicon Assurance

Grant in 2021
Silicon Assurance is a technology company founded in 2021 and headquartered in Gainesville, Florida, specializing in hardware security software. The company aims to address security assurance and trust issues in silicon chips through the zero trust model. Its automated tools are designed to streamline the security verification process in chip design, significantly reducing the time required for assessments while preventing data leakage and mitigating revenue loss for businesses. Silicon Assurance also focuses on enhancing the security of the electronics supply chain, providing services that help detect both intentional and unintentional design flaws in semiconductor intellectual property cores. These solutions are crucial for the protection of smart-connected devices, including self-driving cars, IoT systems, and smart grids, by enabling companies to identify bugs and vulnerabilities that could be exploited in reverse engineering and supply chain attacks.

Aura Intelligent Systems

Grant in 2021
Aura Intelligent Systems specializes in advanced solutions within the realms of radio technology, robotics, and artificial intelligence. The company has developed patented digital imaging radar technology that provides high-resolution spatial sensing for automotive and robotics applications. This technology offers 5D situational awareness while effectively mitigating issues related to interference, jamming, and multipath effects. Built on a 5G hardware architecture, Aura's software-defined radar enables clients to achieve longer detection ranges and lower power consumption, all at a reduced cost. Through its innovative approach, Aura Intelligent Systems addresses critical challenges in the fields of radar and robotics, positioning itself as a leader in high-fidelity sensing solutions.

TRIC Robotics

Grant in 2020
TRIC Robotics is a Newark, Delaware-based company founded in 2017 that focuses on developing autonomous robotic technology for agriculture. The company specializes in providing a non-chemical pesticide alternative specifically for strawberry farms. Its modular robotic system enhances farm automation by offering capabilities such as event monitoring, infrared detection, chemical detection, pipe inspection, and environmental sensing. This innovative approach enables farmers to implement effective pest management while reducing labor and increasing profitability. Through its technology, TRIC Robotics aims to transform traditional farming practices with sustainable and efficient solutions.

Mapless AI

Grant in 2020
Mapless AI is a research company based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, focused on developing safe alternatives for transportation systems. The company offers a remote vehicle operations platform that provides a safe and scalable solution for autonomous driving applications. This platform features a proprietary fail-operational safety system and optimized low-latency connectivity, allowing for efficient and reliable operation. Additionally, it includes a fleet-friendly retrofit that can be easily installed on existing vehicles, enabling customers to deploy and operate autonomous vehicles effectively. By facilitating the adoption of autonomous driving technology without the need for human drivers, Mapless AI aims to enhance the safety and efficiency of transportation systems.

Circle Optics

Grant in 2020
Circle Optics is a technology company specializing in advanced camera systems. They develop parallax-free cameras designed to capture high-definition virtual reality video in real-time, eliminating the need for image stitching. This innovation aims to accelerate resource delivery, enhance safety in aerospace and surveillance applications, and improve immersive experiences across various industries such as entertainment, autonomous systems, and aerospace.

Clean Earth Rovers

Pre Seed Round in 2020
Clean Earth Rovers is a developer of innovative technology aimed at addressing the marine debris crisis. The company has created an autonomous system tailored for marinas, functioning similarly to a robotic vacuum cleaner. This technology skims the water's surface to collect trash, oil, and other pollutants while continuously monitoring water quality in real time. By providing predictive analytics on potential pollution events, Clean Earth Rovers enhances operational efficiency for waterfront businesses, enabling them to maintain cleaner waterways and improve overall health of marine ecosystems. The company's commitment extends beyond visible debris, as it also focuses on monitoring hidden pollutants, such as plastics and toxins, that contribute to harmful algal blooms, thereby assisting governments and organizations in safeguarding marine environments.

Volant Aerial

Grant in 2020
Volant Aerial specializes in an advanced aerial monitoring platform that integrates drones, computer vision, and IoT technology. This platform is designed to provide critical data and insights for various applications, such as early detection of forest fires, security surveillance, crop analysis, construction oversight, workforce management, inventory tracking, port monitoring, wildlife management, and natural disaster response. The system consists of a network of autonomously operating hardware components, including drones, aerostats, and strategically positioned towers equipped with high-powered RGB and thermal cameras. Additionally, it features aerial and ground sensors that monitor a wide range of variables, enabling users to access and control the system remotely via an Internet connection.

Xona Space Systems

Grant in 2020
Xona Space Systems, Inc. is a company focused on developing and manufacturing position, navigation, and timing (PNT) satellite solutions. Established in 2019 and headquartered in San Mateo, California, the company is creating a constellation of low-cost, low-Earth orbit satellites designed to enhance navigation services for a variety of sectors, including smart transportation and infrastructure. Xona's flagship product, the Xona Pulsar, delivers high-power signals to support applications such as autonomous vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and mobile robotics. The constellation aims to provide secure, resilient, and precise navigation and timing services essential for the safe and scalable operation of modern intelligent systems.

Obsidian Sensors

Grant in 2020
Obsidian Sensors is a technology company based in La Jolla, California, founded in 2017. The company specializes in developing a glass microelectromechanical system (MEMS) aimed at enhancing the thermal sensor industry. Its innovative system employs infrared imaging technology for various applications, including security cameras and autonomous vehicles. By focusing on manufacturing efficiency, Obsidian Sensors significantly reduces the costs associated with building microbolometers while maintaining or exceeding established industry standards. This positions the company to provide clients with a viable alternative to traditional silicon-based MEMS sensors, facilitating easier access to advanced sensor technology.

OWL Autonomous Imaging

Grant in 2020
Owl Autonomous Imaging, Inc. is a technology company founded in 2018 and headquartered in Fairport, New York. The company specializes in developing advanced imaging solutions, including a two-color infrared camera designed for the US Air Force and a cutting-edge 4D camera that integrates 1550nm Flash-LiDAR with thermal imaging. These innovations target the automotive mobility and industrial markets, offering Monocular 3D Thermal Ranging™ capabilities that enhance safety in various conditions by leveraging deep learning techniques to produce dense range maps from heat signatures without the need for external illumination. Co-founded by Chuck Gershman, who has extensive experience in the semiconductor industry and a track record of successful entrepreneurial ventures, Owl Autonomous Imaging aims to revolutionize how sensing technology is applied in autonomous vehicles and other sectors.

OAM Photonics

Grant in 2020
OAM Photonics specializes in photonic sensing solutions focused on 3D imaging, catering to industries such as autonomous driving, drones, and robotics. The company develops advanced photonic integrated circuits and coherent optical systems that leverage the orbital angular momentum of light to enhance sensing and imaging capabilities. Currently operating in stealth mode, OAM Photonics is positioned to innovate within the field of photonics, offering unique technology that could significantly impact various applications in emerging markets.

Parallel Flight Technologies

Grant in 2020
Parallel Flight Technologies is focused on creating innovative drone technology aimed at improving safety and efficiency in various applications. The company designs heavy-lift Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) utilizing proprietary parallel hybrid drone technology. This advanced technology includes a novel system that enhances safety by allowing aircraft to remain operational even in the event of engine failures. Through its developments, Parallel Flight Technologies aims to transform the use of drones, contributing to lifesaving efforts, property protection, and environmental preservation.

Berkeley Marine Robotics

Grant in 2020
Berkeley Marine Robotics specializes in developing autonomous unmanned underwater vehicle swarms designed for ocean exploration and conservation. The company's innovative platform facilitates fast and cost-effective inspections of vessels entering ports, utilizing underwater wireless communication to assess hull-fouling levels. By optimizing cleaning schedules and enhancing coating performance, these systems help shipping operators to reduce fuel costs and mitigate carbon dioxide emissions associated with biofouling. Additionally, Berkeley Marine Robotics incorporates swarm robotics, underwater wireless laser communication, and advanced machine learning models tailored for GPS-denied marine environments, ultimately supporting the protection of marine ecosystems.

Akrobotix

Grant in 2019
Akrobotix is a research and product development startup that specializes in autonomous systems and robotics technology across various domains, including space, air, land, and sea. The company develops advanced autopilot systems tailored for fully autonomous unmanned aerial, ground, and marine vehicles. By integrating multi-modal situational awareness information, Akrobotix creates reliable and reproducible application-specific missions while effectively mitigating operational risks. This focus enables businesses to utilize industry-focused mission planning software designed for specific applications, enhancing the efficiency and safety of autonomous operations.

SkyMul

Grant in 2019
SkyMul, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, specializes in developing industrial drones for the construction industry. Their primary product, SkyTy, is a modular robot system designed to autonomously tie rebar intersections on large-scale concrete structures like slabs, bridge decks, and pavements. This innovation aims to automate physically demanding tasks, enhancing agility and scalability while reducing manual labor requirements in tall and large structure constructions.

Akabotics

Grant in 2019
Akabotics is a company based in Honolulu, Hawaii, specializing in autonomous robotic solutions for continuous maintenance dredging in shallow waterways. Its innovative platform consists of two robotic units that collaborate to identify and eliminate sediment buildups, transforming waterway maintenance from a sporadic task into a seamless, ongoing process. By employing this technology, Akabotics significantly reduces costs associated with mobilization, labor, and energy, enhancing the efficiency of waterway upkeep.

AMBOTS

Grant in 2019
AMBOTS Inc. develops innovative swarm 3D printing and assembly technologies aimed at transforming the manufacturing landscape. Utilizing a fleet of autonomous mobile robots that collaborate similarly to a swarm of bees, AMBOTS enables the automated production and assembly of a wide range of products, from everyday items to complex structures like homes and infrastructure. The company's patent-pending approach allows for manufacturing based on digital models on demand, enhancing efficiency and reducing costs. By facilitating the coordination of specialized robots to execute tasks, AMBOTS is positioned to lead the way in fully autonomous and on-demand manufacturing solutions.

Mirada

Grant in 2019
Mirada Technologies Inc., established in 2017 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, specializes in developing and selling key components for advanced LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) systems. The company's core products include laser scanning and detector technology, with a flagship laser scanner that offers precise ranging distance, wide field of view, reliability, and scalable volume production. These components are integral to autonomous vehicles and advanced driver safety systems, primarily serving automotive suppliers.

Manifold Robotics

Grant in 2019
Manifold Robotics is a company that specializes in developing innovative drone technology aimed at enhancing safety and efficiency in autonomous navigation. By utilizing electromagnetic fields (EMF) from power lines as a navigational source, the company enables drones to operate within shielded airspace, facilitating automated inspections of utility infrastructure. This capability allows for beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations, significantly improving operational efficiency and reducing the costs associated with power line inspections. Manifold Robotics focuses on creating practical solutions that simplify drone operations and enhance their safety, ultimately contributing to advancements in various industries reliant on aerial technology.

SurfaSense

Grant in 2019
SurfaSense provides research and development in nanotechnology, biotechnology, physical engineering, and life sciences. They provide technologies for autonomous robotics.

Autonomous Healthcare

Grant in 2018
Autonomous Healthcare is a medical technology company focused on transforming clinical care workflows through automation. It develops innovative technologies aimed at revolutionizing critical care and peri-operative care sectors. By continuously analyzing bedside monitoring data, the company introduces automated solutions that promptly address adverse events detected during patient monitoring. This proactive approach enables healthcare professionals to enhance patient outcomes and significantly reduce hospital lengths of stay, demonstrating a commitment to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery.

LYT

Grant in 2018
LYT operates a cloud-based software platform that optimizes urban traffic flow using connected vehicle technology and machine learning algorithms. The company's system connects vehicle telemetry data to traffic light infrastructure, enabling real-time adjustments to improve mobility, reduce congestion, enhance air quality, and increase reliability for public transport and emergency services.

Enertia Micro

Grant in 2018
Enertia Micro, established in 2014 and based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, specializes in manufacturing micro inertial sensors. These sensors, based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology, are designed to provide precise motion detection for autonomous vehicles. The company's focus is on developing miniature gyroscopes that outperform conventional MEMS sensors, catering to the evolving needs of the mobility industry and ensuring safe, reliable navigation in autonomous vehicles.

Apollo AI

Grant in 2018
Apollo AI builds super-safe self-driving systems and HD maps. They offer mapping, object detection, tracking, and classification, as well as decision-making and path optimization. They also offer information theory, control systems, detection and estimation, machine learning, neural networks, communication and signal processing systems, systems design, and navigation.

Realtime Robotics

Grant in 2018
Realtime Robotics, Inc. is a Boston-based company founded in 2016 that specializes in developing motion planning and control technologies for robots and autonomous vehicles. The company offers a collision-free motion planning platform that allows robots to react instantaneously to their surroundings, enabling safe operation in unstructured environments. Their RapidPlan processor integrates advanced software and hardware, allowing for the generation of safe motion plans in milliseconds, effectively eliminating the trade-off between speed and safety in automation. By facilitating seamless interaction with both static and dynamic objects, Realtime Robotics enhances the capabilities of robots in various applications, including industrial automation and autonomous vehicles, thereby promoting broader adoption and integration of robotics technology in everyday operations.

Aware Vehicles

Grant in 2018
Aware Vehicles is a Kansas City, Missouri-based company founded in 2017 that specializes in the development of autonomous drones. These drones are engineered to capture and analyze spectral aerial images, utilizing advanced imaging techniques and artificial intelligence. Aware Vehicles' technology serves various industries, including precision agriculture, defense, disaster response, logistics, and infrastructure. By providing precise asset inspection and enhancing emergency response and communication capabilities, the company aims to deliver innovative solutions that address critical needs across multiple sectors.

DeepScale

Grant in 2018
DeepScale, Inc. is a technology company based in Mountain View, California, founded in 2015. It specializes in developing perceptual system software for semi-autonomous and autonomous vehicles, focusing on enhancing the capabilities of advanced driver-assistance systems. The company provides a visual perception platform that leverages artificial intelligence and deep learning techniques to enable vehicles to accurately interpret their surroundings in real time. By utilizing industry-standard low-wattage processors, DeepScale's solutions facilitate the deployment of energy-efficient deep neural networks, which are essential for processing data from sensors, mapping, and planning systems. As of October 2019, DeepScale operates as a subsidiary of Tesla, Inc.

Planck Aerosystems

Grant in 2018
Planck Aerosystems Inc. is an autonomous drone company based in San Diego, California, founded in 2014. The company specializes in developing innovative drone technology, particularly through its Shearwater software, which enhances surveillance and mapping capabilities for various applications, including emergency response and scientific research. Planck Aerosystems integrates artificial intelligence into its systems, enabling drones to operate autonomously from moving vehicles or vessels, both on land and at sea. This advanced vision-based navigation and control technology significantly expands the operational applications of drones across sectors such as security, defense, maritime, and logistics. Planck serves government agencies and industrial maritime operators, providing them with new capabilities to improve efficiency and effectiveness in their operations.

Mentium Technologies

Grant in 2017
Mentium Technologies Inc. is a company specializing in the development of artificial intelligence processors tailored for power electronics, including cameras, sensors, microphones, and wearable devices. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Santa Barbara, California, Mentium focuses on delivering high-performance hardware solutions for edge applications that require rapid and reliable AI inference. The company employs a unique technology based on non-volatile memory devices, enabling analog in-memory computation, which enhances the efficiency and accuracy of AI-driven decision-making in mission-critical environments. Mentium's AI chips are designed to support complex video analytics while providing resilience to variations in temperature and device performance, effectively merging the capabilities of autonomous vehicles with low-power electronics.

AutoModality

Grant in 2017
AutoModality Inc. is a company that specializes in developing flight control software for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), enabling them to operate autonomously in environments where GPS signals are unavailable. Founded in 2014 and based in Syracuse, New York, AutoModality manufactures drone platforms that utilize off-the-shelf components to facilitate automated inspections. Their technology is particularly focused on the agriculture and infrastructure sectors, allowing for close-up inspections of structures such as bridges, culverts, rolling stock, and cell towers. The company's advanced navigation software and integrated sensors enable drones to approach inspection sites closely, providing real-time quality streaming from onboard cameras to handheld devices. This capability allows users to gather critical data in challenging locations that are often difficult to access. AutoModality is also recognized for its innovative contributions to the drone industry, exemplified by Team Autero, which won the 2016 DJI SDK Challenge.

Mirada

Grant in 2017
Mirada Technologies Inc., established in 2017 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, specializes in developing and selling key components for advanced LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) systems. The company's core products include laser scanning and detector technology, with a flagship laser scanner that offers precise ranging distance, wide field of view, reliability, and scalable volume production. These components are integral to autonomous vehicles and advanced driver safety systems, primarily serving automotive suppliers.

Perceptive Automata

Grant in 2017
Perceptive Automata, Inc. is a technology company specializing in machine learning and computer vision solutions aimed at predicting human behavior in the context of automated driving. Founded in 2014 and located in Somerville, Massachusetts, the company addresses the complex challenges associated with the safe deployment of highly automated and fully autonomous vehicles, particularly in urban settings. Its advanced AI inference models allow vehicles to anticipate the actions of pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers, enhancing safety and enabling smoother navigation in human-dominated environments. By integrating its software into autonomous driving systems, Perceptive Automata facilitates a more natural driving experience, which is crucial for the acceptance of autonomous vehicles and robotaxi services. The company's team comprises experts from prestigious institutions such as Harvard, MIT, and Stanford, reflecting a strong foundation in neuroscience and artificial intelligence.

Z-senz

Grant in 2017
Z-senz develops the next leap in LIDAR to enable safety and reliability in autonomous vehicles. The company's headquarters are in Washington, D.C. Founded in 2015 by a group of scientists with expertise in optics, lasers, material science, physics, and manufacturing,

Akabotics

Grant in 2017
Akabotics is a company based in Honolulu, Hawaii, specializing in autonomous robotic solutions for continuous maintenance dredging in shallow waterways. Its innovative platform consists of two robotic units that collaborate to identify and eliminate sediment buildups, transforming waterway maintenance from a sporadic task into a seamless, ongoing process. By employing this technology, Akabotics significantly reduces costs associated with mobilization, labor, and energy, enhancing the efficiency of waterway upkeep.

Hydronalix

Grant in 2017
Founded in 2009, Hydronalix has become recognized as a leader and international symbol in robotics innovation for beach and flood rescue with Their successful patented EMILY product line. Their Mission is to provide enhanced value added capabilities to first responders, earth scientists, military, and safety to the maritime industry. Their focus is on development of small expendable maritime robotic technologies to support missions ranging from search and rescue, bathymetric mapping and underwater ISR, to meteorological station keeping and data gathering, in challenging open ocean and littoral marine environments. They have 11,000 square feet of Engineering, Office, and manufacturing space in Sahuarita, AZ. Water testing is performed at Silver-Bell, Patagonia, and Sahuarita Lakes in Arizona. Ocean and surf zone testing is performed in San Diego, Venice Beach, and Malibu, CA. Company sales are both domestic and overseas with export distribution through out Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The company maintains a growing staff of skilled engineers and technicians performing advanced development services and products for the Navy, NOAA, DARPA, and DHS. In addition to EMILY, the company produces a complete product line of advanced Autonomous Mobile Buoys (AMB). The company’s executive leadership team has collective experience of over 200 years in Ocean and Marine Engineering, Robotic systems, advanced sensors, manufacturing, and materials science.

Planck Aerosystems

Grant in 2016
Planck Aerosystems Inc. is an autonomous drone company based in San Diego, California, founded in 2014. The company specializes in developing innovative drone technology, particularly through its Shearwater software, which enhances surveillance and mapping capabilities for various applications, including emergency response and scientific research. Planck Aerosystems integrates artificial intelligence into its systems, enabling drones to operate autonomously from moving vehicles or vessels, both on land and at sea. This advanced vision-based navigation and control technology significantly expands the operational applications of drones across sectors such as security, defense, maritime, and logistics. Planck serves government agencies and industrial maritime operators, providing them with new capabilities to improve efficiency and effectiveness in their operations.

Qelzal

Grant in 2016
Qelzal Corporation, also known as Kelzal, is a technology company specializing in artificial intelligence-driven systems for object and activity recognition. Founded in 2014 and based in La Jolla, California, Qelzal develops advanced products such as the Perception Appliance, which enhances autonomous vehicles and robots with image-free sensing capabilities. The company's innovations focus on obstacle avoidance systems for small commercial drones, ensuring safer and more efficient near-earth flights. By employing brain-inspired engineering and leveraging deep learning and machine learning techniques, Qelzal aims to provide solutions for various industries, including building automation, security, mobile robotics, and autonomous vehicles.

LYT

Grant in 2016
LYT operates a cloud-based software platform that optimizes urban traffic flow using connected vehicle technology and machine learning algorithms. The company's system connects vehicle telemetry data to traffic light infrastructure, enabling real-time adjustments to improve mobility, reduce congestion, enhance air quality, and increase reliability for public transport and emergency services.

DeepScale

Grant in 2016
DeepScale, Inc. is a technology company based in Mountain View, California, founded in 2015. It specializes in developing perceptual system software for semi-autonomous and autonomous vehicles, focusing on enhancing the capabilities of advanced driver-assistance systems. The company provides a visual perception platform that leverages artificial intelligence and deep learning techniques to enable vehicles to accurately interpret their surroundings in real time. By utilizing industry-standard low-wattage processors, DeepScale's solutions facilitate the deployment of energy-efficient deep neural networks, which are essential for processing data from sensors, mapping, and planning systems. As of October 2019, DeepScale operates as a subsidiary of Tesla, Inc.

Autonomous Healthcare

Grant in 2016
Autonomous Healthcare is a medical technology company focused on transforming clinical care workflows through automation. It develops innovative technologies aimed at revolutionizing critical care and peri-operative care sectors. By continuously analyzing bedside monitoring data, the company introduces automated solutions that promptly address adverse events detected during patient monitoring. This proactive approach enables healthcare professionals to enhance patient outcomes and significantly reduce hospital lengths of stay, demonstrating a commitment to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery.

AndrosRobotics

Seed Round in 2016
AndrosRobotics is a company focused on developing robotic technology products tailored for light payload pick-and-place applications within the logistics sector. The firm manufactures intelligent robotic devices aimed at intensive gait training and enhancing human mobility services. These products are designed to be human-safe, combining power with gentleness, making them suitable for use in public spaces. AndrosRobotics offers low-cost solutions equipped with force-controlled, plug-and-play actuators, enabling clients to integrate their technologies seamlessly into existing workflows.

Perceptive Automata

Grant in 2016
Perceptive Automata, Inc. is a technology company specializing in machine learning and computer vision solutions aimed at predicting human behavior in the context of automated driving. Founded in 2014 and located in Somerville, Massachusetts, the company addresses the complex challenges associated with the safe deployment of highly automated and fully autonomous vehicles, particularly in urban settings. Its advanced AI inference models allow vehicles to anticipate the actions of pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers, enhancing safety and enabling smoother navigation in human-dominated environments. By integrating its software into autonomous driving systems, Perceptive Automata facilitates a more natural driving experience, which is crucial for the acceptance of autonomous vehicles and robotaxi services. The company's team comprises experts from prestigious institutions such as Harvard, MIT, and Stanford, reflecting a strong foundation in neuroscience and artificial intelligence.

Z-senz

Grant in 2015
Z-senz develops the next leap in LIDAR to enable safety and reliability in autonomous vehicles. The company's headquarters are in Washington, D.C. Founded in 2015 by a group of scientists with expertise in optics, lasers, material science, physics, and manufacturing,

Autonomous Healthcare

Grant in 2015
Autonomous Healthcare is a medical technology company focused on transforming clinical care workflows through automation. It develops innovative technologies aimed at revolutionizing critical care and peri-operative care sectors. By continuously analyzing bedside monitoring data, the company introduces automated solutions that promptly address adverse events detected during patient monitoring. This proactive approach enables healthcare professionals to enhance patient outcomes and significantly reduce hospital lengths of stay, demonstrating a commitment to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery.

Mythic

Grant in 2014
Mythic Inc. is a technology company specializing in the design and development of silicon chips and artificial intelligence processing units (IPUs). Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Redwood City, California, with an additional office in Austin, Texas, Mythic focuses on integrating AI capabilities into a wide range of devices, including fitness bands, hearing aids, self-driving cars, and robotic drones. The company leverages its unique analog compute-in-memory technology to create products like the M1076 Analog Matrix Processor and MP10304 Quad-AMP PCIe Card, delivering desktop-grade graphics processing in compact formats. With a diverse team of experts in neural networks, device physics, software design, and processor architecture, Mythic is committed to advancing AI solutions that perform reliably in real-world environments, enhancing the functionality of consumer electronics and other applications while maintaining performance and power efficiency.

SeaRobotics Corporation

Grant in 2014
SeaRobotics develops marine robotics products. Their products include autonomous surface vehicles, autonomous water platforms, hulls, and tank cleaning,including SR surveyor class, utility class, endurance class, and cyberhelm. Their services include engineering, design, manufacturing, fabrication, and theme park services.

Seamless Microsystems

Grant in 2014
Seamless Microsystems, Inc. is a semiconductor company based in Fremont, California, founded in 2017. It specializes in designing and manufacturing advanced Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs) that leverage patented technology for a variety of applications. The company's initial product offerings target medical imaging and 4G/WiFi markets, utilizing silicon-proven devices from TSMC’s 28nm HPM process. Seamless Microsystems is developing next-generation ADCs aimed at meeting the high bandwidth demands of LIDAR, 5G wireless, and G.fast communication systems. Their innovative continuous-time sigma-delta ADCs reduce system costs by easing anti-aliasing requirements and lowering power consumption due to their resistive input architecture. Additionally, these ADCs exhibit tolerance to clock jitter, allowing for the use of more economical phase-locked loops in system designs.

AndrosRobotics

Seed Round in 2014
AndrosRobotics is a company focused on developing robotic technology products tailored for light payload pick-and-place applications within the logistics sector. The firm manufactures intelligent robotic devices aimed at intensive gait training and enhancing human mobility services. These products are designed to be human-safe, combining power with gentleness, making them suitable for use in public spaces. AndrosRobotics offers low-cost solutions equipped with force-controlled, plug-and-play actuators, enabling clients to integrate their technologies seamlessly into existing workflows.

Cepand

Grant in 2013
Cepand provides assistance for designers and creators towards innovative technologies. The company provides various services mostly leading to autonomous vehicles. Cepand provides AI/ML, autonomous vehicles, wireless technologies and wearable (VR/AR) blueprints for innovative strategies and roadmaps as their products. Cepand was founded in 2012 by Babak S. in San Francisco, California.

MAVRIC

Grant in 2013
MAVRIC is a cross-campus multidisciplinary collaboration to study Autonomous Vehicles at the University of Michigan. MAVRIC represents a truly multidisciplinary approach to studying Autonomous Vehicles. Members of MAVRIC are from the School of Information, Department of Industrial and Operations Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering and the University of Michigan's Transportation Research Institute. MAVRIC's research has been sponsored by the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC), Toyota Research Institute (TRI), MCity/Mobility Transformation Center.

AndrosRobotics

Grant in 2013
AndrosRobotics is a company focused on developing robotic technology products tailored for light payload pick-and-place applications within the logistics sector. The firm manufactures intelligent robotic devices aimed at intensive gait training and enhancing human mobility services. These products are designed to be human-safe, combining power with gentleness, making them suitable for use in public spaces. AndrosRobotics offers low-cost solutions equipped with force-controlled, plug-and-play actuators, enabling clients to integrate their technologies seamlessly into existing workflows.

Near Earth Autonomy

Grant in 2013
Near Earth Autonomy, established in 2011 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, specializes in developing autonomous systems for enhanced safety in ground and aerial vehicles. The company focuses on creating technologies like sensor suites, collision detection, navigation aids, and motion planning, enabling a variety of unmanned aircraft to operate safely across diverse applications. Their work aims to make autonomous flight commonplace and secure, benefiting clients with aircraft ranging from small drones to full-size helicopters.

Charles River Analytics

Grant in 2013
Charles River Analytics, Inc. is a company specializing in the development of intelligent systems for government, defense, intelligence, and commercial sectors. Established in 1983 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company focuses on delivering advanced solutions that transform data into actionable insights for critical assessment and decision-making. Its offerings include cognitive systems, sensor processing, networking, and decision management tools, as well as autonomous robotic platforms and multi-agent systems designed for information management and command applications. Notable products include BNet, a tool for embedding networks in software; VisionKit, a computer vision system for automating visual tasks; and Verideo, a software tool for video annotation. The company's technological foundations incorporate various algorithmic techniques such as data mining, expert systems, and neural networks. Additionally, Charles River Analytics provides outsourced software engineering services, including the development of computer vision software and intelligent agents, primarily serving the U.S. federal government and the Department of Defense.

Autonomous Healthcare

Grant in 2013
Autonomous Healthcare is a medical technology company focused on transforming clinical care workflows through automation. It develops innovative technologies aimed at revolutionizing critical care and peri-operative care sectors. By continuously analyzing bedside monitoring data, the company introduces automated solutions that promptly address adverse events detected during patient monitoring. This proactive approach enables healthcare professionals to enhance patient outcomes and significantly reduce hospital lengths of stay, demonstrating a commitment to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery.

Love Park Robotics

Grant in 2013
Love Park Robotics is a Philadelphia-based start-up that specializes in developing advanced technologies for intelligent products and services. The company's flagship platform, CoPilot, offers sliding-scale autonomous navigation for service vehicles in both indoor and dynamic outdoor environments. Love Park Robotics focuses on creating 3D perception software and advanced driver assistance systems that facilitate autonomous navigation, particularly addressing challenges such as automotive access for wheelchair users. By providing flexible licensing options and customizable solutions, the company collaborates with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to integrate its innovative technology into cutting-edge products and services, enabling industries to develop robots that can intelligently interact with their surroundings.

Chiaro Technologies

Grant in 2012
Chiaro Technologies LLC is a technology company based in Boulder, Colorado, specializing in the design and development of three-dimensional (3D) cameras and vision sensors for applications in logistics, robotics, and automation. Founded in 2005, the company offers advanced 3D technology solutions, including the Cloudburst 3D sensor camera, which utilizes Symbolic Light technology to capture real-time, high-precision depth images and point clouds. Chiaro Technologies also provides the Jetstream Panel application, allowing users to view, interact with, and record live 3D data from its cameras. By delivering high-speed, real-time 3D image streaming, the company enables manufacturers and machine vision vendors to create innovative solutions tailored to their specific needs. As of November 30, 2016, Chiaro Technologies operates as a subsidiary of Cognex Corporation.
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