Reliable Robotics, an autonomous flight startup founded by SpaceX veterans, raised $115 million in an extension to its Series D round, combining $90 million in equity led by Nimble Partners and $25 million in debt from Silicon Valley Bank. The round brings its Series D total to $275 million and its cumulative funding to $380 million, pushing its valuation past $1 billion. CEO Robert Rose said the company continues to provide evidence to the FAA as it works toward certifying its autonomous flight systems.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-10-20
Joby Aviation flew a modified Cessna Caravan autonomously across the United States, covering 3,199 miles from Concord, California, with stops in Fort Worth and South Carolina. The onboard system independently handled taxiing, takeoff, landing, weather diversions and route changes, while a safety pilot on board did not intervene. Joby says it's the first fully autonomous cross-country airplane flight, and the trip ended with a symbolic pass near the Wright brothers' first flight site in Kitty Hawk.
techspot.com
· 2026-09-22
Joby Aviation says it completed the first fully autonomous cross-country flight in the US, sending a modified Cessna Caravan 3,199 miles from California's Buchanan Field Airport to Dare County Regional Airport in North Carolina without pilot control inputs. The aircraft handled taxiing, takeoff, cruising and landing on its own, while a human monitor rode along and Joby staff supervised remotely from California and Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. The plane will now fly back west with stops in Raleigh, Salt Lake City and Portland.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-20
Joby Aviation flew a converted Cessna Caravan more than 3,100 miles across the U.S. using its autonomy software to handle taxiing, takeoff, navigation and landing without pilot intervention, though a pilot remained onboard for regulatory compliance. The flight was remotely monitored from Joby's California headquarters and Shaw Air Force Base, and the aircraft is set to continue touring cities like Louisville and Salt Lake City before returning to the West Coast.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-09-18
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