Boeing’s [BA] year-old ventures unit on Tuesday announced its fourth investment in autonomous aircraft systems, leading a funding round in Matternet, a startup firm that has developed unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and related software for delivering small packages.
The $16 million Series A funding also includes Swiss Post, Sony Corp.’s [SNE] Sony Innovation Fund, and Levitate Capital.
“Matternet’s technology and proven track record make the development of a safe, global autonomous air mobility system a near-term reality,” Brian Schettler, managing director of Boeing HorizonX Ventures, said in a statement. “Our investment will allow Matternet to scale its operations while strengthening Boeing’s position as a leader in next-generation transportation solutions.”
HorizonX’s previous minority investments in autonomous aircraft firms include Near Earth Autonomy, a developer of sensors for UAS to map and survey terrain and infrastructure, Fortem Technologies, which has developed advanced radar systems to allow drones to fly beyond visual limits, and to detect, identify and disrupt UAS systems, and Kittyhawk, which has developed software of traffic management of commercial UAS.
California-based Matternet is developing its technology to operate drones in urban environments for on-demand delivery services.
“As we expand Matternet’s U.S. and global operations, we will work with Boeing to make next-generation aerial logistics networks a reality and transform our everyday lives,” Andreas Raptopoulos, founder and CEO of Matternet, said in a statement.
Matternet has established permanent operations in Lugano, Switzerland, with a hospital group and has conducted more than 1,700 flights over densely populated areas, including more than 850 deliveries of patient samples with no-safety issues. The company and Swiss Post, the national postal service of Switzerland, have expanded operations to Bern and Zurich to test new hospital-to-hospital delivery networks.
In May, Matternet and several other companies were selected by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration for a drone logistics pilot program for hospitals. Matternet is working with hospitals in California and North Carolina to create networks for on-demand delivery of lab samples and medical items between hospital facilities.
Matternet has 35 employees.