Skydio

Overview

Summary

Skydio is a aircraft manufacturing company that has its headquarters in Redwood City, California, United States. They are mostly known for producing drones that have cutting-edge technology.  This private company was founded in 2014 by Adam Bry, Abe Bachrach, and Matt Donahoe. Since its inception, Skydio has designed, built, and serviced its drones in the United States. 

Since 2014, the company has enjoyed great success in the drone market. In march 2021 for example, it was reported that the company has just become the first drone company in the United state to be valued at over $1 Billion – If anything, this goes to show how well they have tapped into the US drone market. Another landmark achievement of skydio was when the FAA granted them the first-ever Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) waiver. A truly remarkable achievement for a company that was founded just 8 years ago.

Also, earlier this year, the company got contracted by the US Army to supply autonomous drones. It is reported that the contract has a base year value of $20.2 million

Skydio drones come in various types, and most impressively, they can all function basically anywhere. For example, they are now being used in the military. Plus, private individuals can also own and use these drones. 

What makes their drone a top choice for UAV enthusiasts is their ability to function almost independently of a pilot. What we mean here is that skydio drones have inbuilt software and UAV sensors that allow the aircraft to fly and maneuver around anything without the aid of a pilot and a control stick.

As we mentioned earlier, a group of three researchers founded Skydio back in 2014. And no, they didn’t just wake up one day and decide to start a drone company. It is an idea that they have all had since they were all at the Massachusetts institute of technology. Before the three decided to enter cooperation, Adam Bry and Abe Bachrach has previously worked in a robust robotics program where they were tasked with building an autonomous drone that can fly itself without GPS.

Shortly after they were done with this robotics program, the two researchers also helped in developing an autonomous-control algorithm that will not only determine the speed/acceleration of the UAVs but will also calculate the trajectory, state, location, and physical orientation of the drone.

Also in 2012, the pair decided to take a job at Google where, along with others, worked on developing an autonomous drone for Google. After they both left Google in 2014, the pair decided to team up with another drone enthusiast, Matt Donahoe – A matchup that lead to the birth of Skydio

However, one thing to note is that although Skydio drones don’t need any human interaction before it works and flies themselves, there is still a need for proper training. 

Industry

Skydio is a private drone company that was founded in 2014, and so far so good, they are one of the leading drone manufacturers in the United States and a world leader in autonomous flight.

What makes Skydio drones different from other types of drones is the use of cutting-edge AI to create the world’s most intelligent flying machines for use by consumers, businesses, and the military. As mentioned previously, Skydio was founded in 2014 by three friends that attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Adam Bry, Abe Bachrach, and Matt Donahoe. The three researchers are leading experts in AI, robotics, cameras, and electric vehicles. Adam Bry and Abe Bachrach have previously worked for Google as well before they all came together to start their own drone company.

Skydio manufacture and supports its products in the United States from its headquarters in Redwood City, California, United States to ensure the highest supply chain and manufacturing security. 

Skydio being one of the leading manufacturers of autonomous drones in the United States has made it easier for investors to back their projects. Some of the investors include Andreesen Horowitz, Levitate Capital, Playground, NVIDIA, etc. 

Country of Origin

Skydio is an American manufacturer of Unmanned aerial vehicles that has its headquarters in Redwood City, California, United States. And just recently, the company became just the first-ever US drone manufacturer to exceed $1 billion in value.

Countries of Operation

Skydio, which was originally founded in the US and has its headquarter in Redwood City, California, United State now have offices in Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.

Age

Founded in 2014, the drone company is now 9 years old. Despite how young this company is, they have grown so big in the drone market, and in value.

Size

It is estimated that the company has almost 500 workers presently. However, they’re still recruiting workers for different roles across their offices worldwide. Their LinkedIn page states 479 employees at the time of writing this article.

Founders/CEO

Adam Bry

Adam Bry is a co-founder and CEO at Skydio. He was recently recognized on MIT’s TR35 list for young innovators. Adam Bry, alongside his other two friends, cofounded Skydio in 2014 because of their keen interest in creating a drone that can function almost independently of a pilot. And so far so good, the company has grown to be one of the leading manufacturers of autonomous drones. Adam Bry in particular has had a long-standing interest in aircraft autonomy. He has had almost two decades of experience with small UAS. He famously piloted the R/C airplane in an aerobatic championship. Adam Bry graduated from Franklin W. Olin College Of Engineering in 2008, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical engineering. 

Shortly afterward, he proceeded to the Massachusetts Institute Of Technology (MIT) where he bagged a master’s degree in computer science and artificial intelligence (AI), aerospace, aeronautical, and astronautical engineering. Adam Bry used most of the experience he had while he was an R/C pilot in his research on autonomous aircraft.

After he graduated from MIT in 2012; Adam Bry alongside Abe Bachrach worked for Google on a project they dubbed Google Project Wing. He has co-authored countless engineering papers and patents alike. 

Sometimes around 2021, the FAA’s Advanced Aviation Advisory inducted Adam Bry into their committee.

Abraham Bachrach

Abe Bachrach is a co-founder and the Chief Technical Officer at Skydio. He and Adam Bry met at the Massachusetts Institute Of Technology (MIT) before teaming up to work for Google in their Projects Wing. 

Before he took up a job at Google, he had previously worked as a research assistant at MIT where he was researching how they can develop an algorithm that would allow drones to move and maneuver around anything without the aid of an on-site pilot and a control stick.

Abe Bachrach also worked as a quantitative researcher at Convexus Advisors from April 2006 to February 2007. 

Abraham Bachrach graduated from the University of California, Berkeley where he bagged a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and computer science. He then later went to the Massachusetts Institute Of Technology where he bagged a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer science. It was at the same MIT he got a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer science.

Matt Donahoe

Just like Adam Bry, Matt Donahoe also graduated from Franklin W. Olin College Of Engineering in 2008 where he bagged a bachelor’s degree in system engineering. He proceeded to the Massachusetts Institute Of Technology where he earned a master’s degree in Media arts and sciences. 

Matt Donahoe is also the CEO and co-founder of Skydio. Not only Skydio but he’s also worked as a project co-founder and lead developer of PocketGems Episode.

He worked as a research assistant at 

MIT Media lab before he left to found Skydio.

Competitive Edge

There are only a comparatively few drone companies out there with a primary focus on aircraft autonomy. For example, Pateo and Exyn Technologies are two examples of drone companies that are currently using artificial intelligence to provide automobile solutions. Skydio arguably has the best technology in the realms of autonomous navigation in tight and enclosed environments.

A 2021 report has it that skydio has just become the first drone company in the United state to be valued at over $1 Billion. That alone goes to show how well they have tapped into the US drone market. 

Also recently, the company was awarded a $20.2 million contract by the US Army to supply autonomous drones. 

And lastly, skydio drones are now being used by most police departments in the United States

Controversy

One big controversy surrounding this company is how they have managed to get their drones into a lot of police departments in the United States. Some people consider the rate at which police departments are using this as “staggering”.

They fear that a lot of things can happen if this continues. For example, there could be a serious case of data breaches! 

Aircraft

Skydio’s first-ever drone product was Skydio R1. Shortly afterward, the company released Skydio 2; a fully autonomous aircraft that combines unmatched AI with out-of-the-this-world 4k60HDR camera resolution. Skydio 2 has 3.5 kilometers of wireless range, and it can fly for up to 23 minutes.

Skydio 2 is built around the Skydio Autonomy Engine which some experts refer to as the most advanced flying AI system in the world.

Skydio 2 is arguably one of the best and cheapest in the market right now. They are more portable and less stressful to operate. 

Next on their line of products is Skydio X2 which has 360° obstacle avoidance capabilities. It has a very portable airframe it can fly for 35 minutes on a single battery.

Skydio X2 comes in two versions: X2D and X2E. The former is made for military and federal agencies while the latter is for civilians, enterprises, first responders, etc. 

Technology

Skydio drones have inbuilt software and UAV sensors that allow the drones to fly and maneuver around anything without the aid of a pilot and a control stick. In short, anyone can fly this drone. It can go to places that no one can.

Approvals

In 2023, Skydio received nationwide approval from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) to remotely operate drones beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). This is a significant regulatory approval that allows streamlined BVLOS operations using Skydio’s Dock and Remote Ops, enabling drones to fly safely near structures, even without an on-site pilot. The approval, which is not location or time-specific and applies across Japan with limited exceptions, permits operators to remotely inspect critical infrastructure without putting people at risk. Skydio’s CEO, Adam Bry, described this as a landmark moment for the drone industry and a reflection of regulatory response to advances in AI and autonomy. The approval demonstrates Skydio’s commitment to its customers by providing top-tier products and unique regulatory approvals that deliver significant value

Growth

Although the company is just 8 years old, they currently have well over 350 workers in their book. They have also opened offices in Japan, New Zealand, and Australia.

Funding

The company has raised a total of $340M from six funding rounds. Its investors include Andreesen Horowitz, Levitate Capital, Playground, NVIDIA, etc. 

Revenue

Skydio’s estimated annual revenue is currently $114.3M per year. And most impressively, they are currently valued at $1 Billion.

Social Stats

The company is active on almost all social media platforms

1. Facebook – 69,271 likes 

2. Twitter – 14.2k followers

3. YouTube – 28.4k followers

4. Instagram – 101k followers

5. LinkedIn – 37,811 followers

But wait, there’s more!

Skydio is only one of the major players in this evolving industry. Click here to check out our full list of companies leading the way!