// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Skyryse say to the pilot? "Rise" to the occasion.
Skyryse, Inc. is an American technology company.[1][2] It designs hardware and software for piloting autonomous or partially-autonomous aircraft.[3] As of 2026, Skyryse was working with both private companies and the U.S. military on integration projects. In February 2026, Skyryse's valuation was $1.15 billion.[4]
History
[edit]Skyryse was founded in 2016.[4] by Mark Groden, who became CEO.[5] The company began developing an aircraft automation system for passenger aircraft.[6]
Emerging from stealth mode in August 2018,[2] to prove its concept, Skyryse trialed using its modified helicopters with the city of Tracy, California, for example transporting first responders to medical emergencies.[3] Fast Company noted the piloted flights let Skyryse collect flight data to "feed machine learning AI to develop pilot assistance tools and ultimately automated flight systems,"[2] similar to the methods used by driverless carmakers.[7]
On July 22, 2023, SkyOS "successfully executed the world's first fully automated autorotation emergency landing procedure," using a Robinson R66 with Skyryse technology.[8] By early 2026, companies were integrating SkyOS on aircraft such as the Bell 407 and Pilatus PC-12. Skyryse was also working with the US Army.[4]
Funding
[edit]In 2018, Skyryse raised US$25 million from investors such as Venrock and Stanford University.[2] It raised an additional $13 million in 2019 from investors such as William Clay Ford Jr.[5]
In 2021, it raised $200 million.[1]
In 2026, it raised $300 million from investors such as Qatar Investment Authority, bringing total valuation to an estimated $1.15 billion.[4]
References
[edit]- 1 2 Strachan, Maxwell (29 October 2021). "Startup That Wants To Let You Fly Helicopter With an iPad Gets $200 Million". Vice Magazine. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Captain, Sean (28 August 2018). "This high-tech 911 helicopter could be the next step to flying cars". Fast Company. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
- 1 2 Stewart, Jack (28 August 2018). "Want a Flying Car Future? Try Starting with Smarter Helicopters". Wired Magazine. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Srivastava, Prakhar (3 February 2026). "Aviation automation firm Skyryse hits over $1 billion valuation in latest funding round". Reuters. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
- 1 2 Bogaisky, Jeremy (17 December 2019). "How Skyryse Aims To Make A Helicopter Flight As Affordable As An Uber Ride". Forbes. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
- ↑ Metz, Cade (25 October 2021). "I'm Not a Pilot, but I Just Flew a Helicopter Over California". The New York Times. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
- ↑ Metz, Cade (28 August 2018). "Silicon Valley takes a (careful) step toward autonomous flying". Seattle Times. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
- ↑ Dela Cruz, Jace (15 November 2023). "Skyryse Successfully Performs World's First-Ever Fully Automated Helicopter Autorotation Emergency Landing". Tech Times. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
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