Daedalean Raises CHF 11.8 M to Launch its Certified AI Airworthy Autopilot

29.07.2019 16:00, Guillaume Tinsel

2018 TOP 100 Zurich-based Swiss Startup Daedalean just announced having raised for a total amount of CHF 11.8 Million. This new funding round was led by Carthona Capital with the participation of VCs such as Redalpine and Amino Capital, and also three business angels.

Today, there is no incremental path from UAV control to certification for personal transport (DAL-A), nor one from current DAL-A level avionics to full autonomy. Daedalean bridge that chasm thanks to a team of  ex-Google or SpaceX engineers in robotics, computer vision, machine learning, avionics and a pilot. Together they go through the requirements for human pilots and turn them into system requirements to which they can engineer.

Daedalean's mission is to build a certified airworthy autopilot that can also pass the exams for human pilots. The funds will enable Daedalean to further launch products based on sensing and perception algorithms. Daedalean, with partners, is conducting flight tests and working on certifying its solutions with major aviation authorities (EASA, FAA).

“With the worldwide system of civil aviation working at the limits of its capacity already, and with shortages of human pilots and air traffic controllers already impacting the scalability of flight today, a future with small safe and silent personal air taxis is simply infeasible without full autonomy,” according to Van Dijk, founder and CEO. “As we demonstrated on our recent flight tests with Volocopter and other partners, Daedalean is well on its way to developing the needed capabilities.” 

Daedalean was ranked 46 at the 2018 TOP 100 Swiss Startup Award.

"I was happy and proud to see so many great startups in the final top-100 list. The Swiss startup scene is raising in the global influence and impact. And the choice of the Top-100 finalists totally shows that this is well-deserved: CH innovation flair, the world best talent's pool and deep industry tradition together with the comfort and friendly ecosystem give its result. The top-100 rating is a good showcase window for all the great startups and a good networking opportunity." said Van Dijk