Robohub.org
 

3D Robotics gets $30 million to mainstream aerial robotics


by
27 September 2013



share this:

Chris Anderson3D Robotics, the open source unmanned aerial vehicle company headed by Chris Anderson, just got a $30 million infusion of venture funding to enable the company to “mainstream aerial robotics and surveying” by making advanced UAV technology affordable and easy to use.
… With a large and enthusiastic user base, 3D Robotics has begun manufacturing the open source Pixhawk autopilot system developed by the Swiss PX4 open hardware project.
… 3D Robotics has also begun to manufacture a ready-to-fly autonomous quadcopter named Iris which runs on the Pixhawk autopilot system. Iris includes a GoPro camera mount and features a complete set of autonomous capabilities: automatic takeoff and landing, mission planning with GPS waypoint navigation, stabilized hovering, circling mode, etc. Iris can carry .8 pounds of payload for 10-15 minutes of flying time per charge. The fully assembled Iris and Pixhawk autopilot are priced at $729.99.
… 3D Robotics is exploring and marketing to many of the capabilities that UAS can perform: in agricultural operations, for conservation, for surveying, early warning and other monitoring, fire fighting, photography, surveillance, etc.



tags: ,


Frank Tobe is the owner and publisher of The Robot Report, and is also a panel member for Robohub's Robotics by Invitation series.
Frank Tobe is the owner and publisher of The Robot Report, and is also a panel member for Robohub's Robotics by Invitation series.





Related posts :



Interview with Zahra Ghorrati: developing frameworks for human activity recognition using wearable sensors

and   08 Oct 2025
Zahra tells us more about her research on wearable technology.

Women in robotics you need to know about 2025

  06 Oct 2025
This global list celebrates women's impact across the robotics ecosystem and globe.

Robot Talk Episode 127 – Robots exploring other planets, with Frances Zhu

  03 Oct 2025
In the latest episode of the Robot Talk podcast, Claire chatted to Frances Zhu from the Colorado School of Mines about intelligent robotic systems for space exploration.

Rethinking how robots move: Light and AI drive precise motion in soft robotic arm

  01 Oct 2025
Researchers at Rice University have developed a soft robotic arm capable of performing complex tasks.

RoboCup Logistics League: an interview with Alexander Ferrein, Till Hofmann and Wataru Uemura

and   25 Sep 2025
Find out more about the RoboCup league focused on production logistics and the planning.

Drones and Droids: a co-operative strategy game

  22 Sep 2025
Scottish Association for Marine Science is running a crowdfunding campaign for educational card game.

Call for AAAI educational AI videos

  22 Sep 2025
Submit your contributions by 30 November 2025.



 

Robohub is supported by:




Would you like to learn how to tell impactful stories about your robot or AI system?


scicomm
training the next generation of science communicators in robotics & AI


 












©2025.05 - Association for the Understanding of Artificial Intelligence