Canadian UAS service provider acquires RoBird drone tech

AERIUM Analytics has acquired the technology and intellectual property (IP) portfolio from Clear Flight Solutions, including the RoBird technology, a small unmanned aircraft vehicle that mimics the look and flight of a bird. The acquired technology includes the trademarked ornithopter drone RoBird and all associated patents and knowledge.

AERIUM Analytics is a service provider in the use of unmanned systems for commercial services solutions in controlled and complex airspaces. Through AERIUM's unparalleled operational experience it offers an integrated geospatial intelligence and wildlife management solution model for such environments. AERIUM will immediately begin manufacturing RoBird units in Calgary and will embark on a pre-established technology development road map for RoBird and other flapping wing flight applications.

"Four years ago, a group of innovative and forward-thinking individuals decided to create a company that would focus on the future of geospatial intelligence combined with unmanned technology,” said Richard Hawker, president of AERIUM Analytics. “Our vision was to provide a technology enabled service that would allow businesses to gain a clear understanding of the integrity and readiness of their physical assets and to meet their regulatory compliance and operations planning and monitoring challenges.”

"We partnered with Clear Flight Solutions back in 2017 and they have since proven to be a pioneer in the development of unmanned technology including flapping wing flight. We are looking forward to continuing to work with their talented team, bringing together the best hardware, software, and artificial intelligence to build unmanned technology.  Together, we will continue to provide ecologically friendly wildlife management and state of the art geospatial intelligence solutions around the world."

Alain le Loux, Head of European Operations for Cottonwood Technology Fund (lead investor in Clear Flight Solutions), said the investment group is excited for the future because Aerium can commit substantial R&D resources to improving the capabilities of the RoBird. “This allows Clear Flight Solutions to focus all its efforts on customer acquisition and service,” le Loux said. We also retain surveillance IP related to fixed wing versions of bird style drones. Clear Flight Solutions will mainly focus on European airports with RoBird^® and will serve surveillance drone birds to the security and defense markets globally."

For previous coverage of RoBird, click here.