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Robert Rose
CEO & Co-founder
Previously Flight Software Director at SpaceX
Co-founded Reliable Robotics in 2017 after leading flight software at SpaceX; testifies before Congress on autonomous aviation leadership.
Reliable Robotics develops the Reliable Autonomy System (RAS), the first FAA-certifiable system enabling fully automated, pilotless operation of existing aircraft such as the Cessna 208B Caravan across all phases of flight. The platform targets cargo operators and the U.S. military, with over 200 system commitments secured as of April 2026. The company is pursuing full FAA type certification under standard regulations—without special exemptions—targeting completion around 2028.
Reliable Robotics develops the Reliable Autonomy System (RAS), the first FAA-certifiable system enabling fully automated, pilotless operation of existing aircraft such as the Cessna 208B Caravan across all phases of flight. The platform targets cargo operators and the U.S. military, with over 200 system commitments secured as of April 2026. The company is pursuing full FAA type certification under standard regulations—without special exemptions—targeting completion around 2028.
Reliable Robotics was founded in 2017 by Robert Rose (former SpaceX flight software director) and Juerg Frefel in Mountain View, California, with the mission of making autonomous aviation safe and commercially viable. The founders set out to certify an autonomous aircraft system under existing FAA regulations rather than seek special waivers, betting that rigorous standards compliance would be the fastest path to widespread adoption.
Reliable Robotics announced $160M in new funding led by Nimble Partners, with continued support from Eclipse, Lightspeed, Coatue and new investors including RTX Ventures and AE Ventures (Boeing), bringing total raised to ~$300M.
Following the Series D close, Reliable Robotics disclosed it had secured commitments for over 200 RAS units from a combined base of commercial operators and military customers.
Co-founder and CEO Robert Rose testified before Congress in December 2025, making the case for the U.S. to lead in autonomous aviation and outlining the regulatory path Reliable Robotics is taking to certify pilotless cargo aircraft.
The U.S. Air Force awarded Reliable Robotics a $17.4M contract to integrate and test its continuous autopilot platform on a Cessna 208B Caravan, advancing pilotless cargo operations for the military.
Reliable Robotics announced a deal with ASL Aviation Holdings to potentially automate ASL's fleet of over 160 aircraft serving Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia with the Reliable Autonomy System.
The FAA formally accepted Reliable Robotics' certification plan for the Reliable Autonomy System, placing the company on track to become the first to certify a fully autonomous aircraft system under standard aviation regulations.
CEO & Co-founder
Previously Flight Software Director at SpaceX
Co-founded Reliable Robotics in 2017 after leading flight software at SpaceX; testifies before Congress on autonomous aviation leadership.
Co-founder
Co-founded Reliable Robotics in 2017 alongside Robert Rose.
$260M raised total
No H1B sponsorship data available for this company.