Reliable Robotics lands $115M, tops $1B valuation as autonomous flight certification advances

Startup founded by SpaceX veterans pushes toward FAA approval for systems that could eventually remove pilots from cockpits

By LineZotpaper

Published20 October 2026

Read Time3 min

Reliable Robotics, a Mountain View-based startup developing autonomous flight technology for existing aircraft, has raised $115 million in an extension of its Series D round, pushing its valuation past $1 billion. The company, founded by former SpaceX and Tesla engineers, said it is making steady progress toward Federal Aviation Administration certification for a suite of systems that could eventually enable cargo planes to fly without pilots on board.

Reliable Robotics has been working for nearly a decade to commercialize autonomous flying technology that can be installed on existing aircraft. The $115 million funding boost includes $90 million in equity led by Nimble Partners and $25 million in debt from Silicon Valley Bank. The Series D round now totals $275 million, and the company has raised $380 million to date. Other investors include Gideon Strategic Partners, RockCreek, Geek Ventures, Gold Hill Capital and Sparkwave Capital.

CEO and co-founder Robert Rose, a former director of flight software at SpaceX who also worked at Tesla and Google, described the certification process as lengthy but advancing. "We continue to make steady progress and deliver evidence to the FAA and every day, we inch closer and closer," Rose said. Co-founder and CTO Juerg Frefel is also a SpaceX veteran with nearly a decade at the company.

The startup is pursuing FAA certification on four fronts. Its first product, continuous autopilot engagement, handles engine startup, taxiing, takeoff and landing while a pilot remains in the aircraft and interacts with the system through a touchscreen. Rose expects certification for this critical first system in 18 to 24 months. The second certification, at least three years away, would remove the pilot from the cockpit to a ground-control station.

Reliable is also working toward certification of a collision-avoidance radar developed in-house after legacy suppliers declined to take on the project. The solid-state radar has no moving parts, scans at longer range and higher resolution than conventional systems, and costs less to maintain, according to Rose. He expects certification by the end of 2027. The final certification is for Reliable Airlines, a cargo airline based in Albuquerque that operates six Cessna Caravans flying six days a week.

Nimble Partners founder John Burbank said the opportunity extends beyond a single aircraft. "It's a much bigger effort and much bigger opportunity than to just build one plane," Burbank said, noting the system could be adopted by any airframe. "Once they get the first one approved, then everyone will realize this is going to be the path for the industry, just as we're seeing the path for the auto industry being autonomous."

Analysis

Why This Matters

Autonomous flight technology could transform cargo and regional aviation by reducing pilot costs and addressing pilot shortages.
Reliable's approach of retrofitting existing aircraft rather than building new autonomous planes could speed adoption across the industry.
FAA certification of the first system would set a regulatory precedent for other companies pursuing similar technology.

Background

Reliable Robotics is one of several companies working to bring autonomous flight to commercial aviation. The industry is heavily regulated by the FAA, which certifies both equipment and airline operations under separate sets of rules. The company's strategy is to incrementally introduce automation, starting with a system that keeps a pilot in the cockpit but reduces their workload, before eventually moving pilots to ground stations. The aviation sector has faced recent high-profile collisions, increasing interest in improved collision-avoidance technology.

Key Perspectives

Robert Rose (CEO, Reliable Robotics): Emphasizes steady progress toward certification and sees the solid-state radar as a solution to recent collision risks. Believes the system will eventually benefit operators across the industry. John Burbank (Nimble Partners): Views Reliable as building a foundational technology for all aircraft, comparing the trajectory to autonomous vehicles in the auto industry. Critics/Skeptics: The source does not present opposing views, but the lengthy certification timeline and the complexity of certifying fully autonomous flight have historically been barriers that skeptics point to. No specific critics are quoted.

What to Watch

FDA certification timeline for the continuous autopilot system (expected 18-24 months).
Certification of the solid-state radar by end of 2027.
Reliable Airlines' operational milestones as it seeks its own FAA certification.
Competitive developments from other autonomous aviation startups.

Sources

SpaceX alum’s aviation startup, Reliable Robotics, lands $115M, topping $1B valuation · TechCrunch

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 9 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedReliable Robotics raised $115 million, taking its valuation above $1 billion.TechCrunch: “Now, with a $115 million funding boost, the Mountain View, California-based startup has a longer runway as it pushes to get its autonomous flight system certified by the Federal Aviation Administration — a critical milestone that co-founder and CEO Robert Rose said the startup is inching toward. The financing is an extension of its Series D round”
SupportedReliable Robotics is making progress toward FAA certification.TechCrunch: “a critical milestone that co-founder and CEO Robert Rose said the startup is inching toward.”
Partly supportedThe company was founded by former SpaceX and Tesla engineers.TechCrunch: “said Rose, a former director of flight software at SpaceX who has also had stints at Tesla and Google. Reliable co-founder and CTO Juerg Frefel is also a SpaceX veteran who spent nearly a decade there as an engineer.”
SupportedRose said, “We continue to make steady progress and deliver evidence to the FAA and every day, we inch closer and closer.”TechCrunch: ““We continue to make steady progress and deliver evidence to the FAA and every day, we inch closer and closer,” said Rose”
Partly supportedRose described the certification process as lengthy but advancing.TechCrunch: “While the certification process is lengthy, Nimble Partners founder John Burbank said the benefits will be broad and significant.”
SupportedThe $115 million funding includes $90 million in equity led by Nimble Partners and $25 million in debt from Silicon Valley Bank.TechCrunch: “The financing is an extension of its Series D round and includes $90 million in equity funding led by Nimble Partners and $25 million in debt from Silicon Valley Bank.”
SupportedThe Series D round totals $275 million, and Reliable has raised $380 million to date.TechCrunch: “The Series D round, which now totals $275 million, has pushed the startup’s valuation beyond the $1 billion mark. Other investors include Gideon Strategic Partners, RockCreek, Geek Ventures, Gold Hill Capital, Sparkwave Capital and others. Reliable has raised $380 million to date.”
SupportedRose expects certification for the first system in 18 to 24 months.TechCrunch: “Rose expects to receive certification for this critical first system in 18 to 24 months.”
SupportedThe second certification is at least three years away and would move the pilot from the cockpit to a ground-control station.TechCrunch: “The second certification, which Rose says is at least three years away, removes the pilot from the cockpit and moves them to a ground-control station.”
Partly supportedRose says the radar costs less to maintain.TechCrunch: “It’s also easier to maintain because there are no moving parts and it costs less, he added.”
SupportedBurbank said, “It's a much bigger effort and much bigger opportunity than to just build one plane.”TechCrunch: ““It’s a much bigger effort and much bigger opportunity than to just build one plane,” Burbank said”
SupportedBurbank said, “Once they get the first one approved, then everyone will realize this is going to be the path for the industry, just as we're seeing the path for the auto industry being autonomous.”TechCrunch: “Once they get the first one approved, then everyone will realize this is going to be the path for the industry, just as we’re seeing the path for the auto industry being autonomous.”