# Reliable Robotics Secures $115M to Reach Billion-Dollar Valuation The autonomous aviation startup targets FAA certification for its advanced flight systems. - **Source:** [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com) - **Published:** 2026-10-20 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/264d1b28-0d61-4ac9-bdcd-b23763db04c3 ## Funding Milestone Achieved Reliable Robotics raised $115 million in a Series D extension, pushing its total valuation past $1 billion. The round included $90 million in equity from Nimble Partners and $25 million in debt from Silicon Valley Bank. To date, the Mountain View startup has secured $380 million to advance its autonomous aviation technology goals. ## FAA Certification Strategy The company is pursuing four distinct FAA certifications to enable autonomous flight. CEO Robert Rose, a former SpaceX director, emphasizes that navigating these rigorous regulatory requirements is the primary hurdle. The startup aims to deliver consistent evidence to regulators, inching closer to approval for its systems designed for integration into existing aircraft. ## Continuous Autopilot Engagement The first certification target is continuous autopilot engagement, which manages engine startup, taxiing, takeoff, and landing. Pilots remain in the cockpit, interacting with the system via a touchscreen interface. Reliable Robotics expects to achieve this specific certification within 18 to 24 months, marking a critical step toward fully autonomous flight operations. ## Ground Control Transition A secondary, longer-term goal involves removing the pilot from the cockpit entirely. This phase requires moving flight control operations to a ground-based station. Rose estimates this transition is at least three years away, as it necessitates a higher level of regulatory scrutiny and safety validation compared to the initial in-cockpit autopilot system. ## Solid-State Radar Innovation Reliable Robotics developed an in-house solid-state radar after failing to find suitable legacy suppliers. Unlike conventional systems with moving parts, this radar offers higher resolution and longer range. It is designed to prevent collisions both in the air and on the ground, with certification expected by the end of 2027. ## Reliable Airlines Operations The company operates Reliable Airlines, based in Albuquerque, to test its technology in real-world conditions. Utilizing six Cessna Caravans, the airline transports cargo six days a week. This operational arm is essential for proving the technology, as the FAA requires separate certification for both the equipment and the specific airline flight operations. ## Industry-Wide Scalability Investors view the startup's potential as extending far beyond a single aircraft model. John Burbank of Nimble Partners notes that the system is designed to be adopted by any airframe. By building a universal autonomous platform, the company aims to mirror the autonomous trajectory currently observed in the automotive industry's technological evolution. ## Strategic Market Positioning Founded by SpaceX veterans, the company leverages deep engineering expertise to solve complex aviation challenges. By focusing on retrofitting existing aircraft rather than building new ones, they minimize capital intensity. This strategy positions them to capture significant market share once the initial regulatory approvals are granted for their autonomous flight software. ## Sources covering this story - https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/20/spacex-alums-aviation-startup-reliable-robotics-lands-115m-topping-1b-valuation/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._