Percepto, the leading autonomous inspection and monitoring solution provider, has secured $67 million in Series C funding and received an unprecedented nationwide waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). These significant milestones pave the way for mass autonomous drone deployments across the United States, enabling industrial sites to leverage the power of autonomous drone inspections.
Series C funding led by Koch Disruptive Technologies [KDT]
Percepto’s latest funding round was led by Koch Disruptive Technologies (KDT), a prominent investor in disruptive technologies. Alongside KDT, new investors Zimmer Partners and one of the largest U.S. energy companies participated in the funding round. Notably, existing investors U.S. Venture Partners, Delek US Holdings, Atento Capital, Spider Capital, and Arkin Holdings also joined the round, demonstrating their confidence in Percepto’s offerings. The company has now raised more than $120 million in total investment.
“Percepto is a powerful force in boosting the accessibility of automated drones for industrial inspection and monitoring,” said Chase Koch, Founder and CEO of Koch Disruptive Technologies. “Having deployed Percepto’s technology across various Koch companies, we are experiencing first-hand how its innovative R&D improves inspection and monitoring. Their work to create a clear regulatory path for this technology puts it in a strong market position, firmly stationed at the forefront of the industry. We look forward to continuing our journey with Percepto as it sets the new standard for making industrial operations safe, efficient and sustainable.”
FAA nationwide regulation waiver for autonomous drone deployments
Percepto’s recent accomplishment of securing a nationwide Beyond Line of Sight (BVLOS) waiver from the FAA has a profound impact on the industry. This regulatory milestone grants Percepto the ability to deploy remotely operated automated drones to critical infrastructure sites across the United States, eliminating the need for site-specific approvals from the FAA. As a result, Percepto can bypass logistical and cost constraints typically associated with drone deployments, such as the requirement for ground personnel and radar systems. This breakthrough development significantly accelerates the adoption of autonomous drone technology, opening up new possibilities for industry-wide implementation.
Unlocking efficiency and safety with autonomous drone inspections
Percepto’s autonomous inspection and monitoring solution, called Percepto AIM, enables industrial companies to automate facility inspections and improve operational efficiency. By leveraging autonomous drones, robots, and AI, Percepto AIM offers an end-to-end visual inspection workflow. The solution automates data collection, AI-powered analysis, and provides actionable insights. With Percepto AIM, companies such as Siemens Energy can detect potential issues like gas leaks, overheating, and infrastructure deterioration faster, allowing them to take preventive measures and minimize risks.
“Percepto’s unique AI technology provides heavy industry with a path to maximize their efficiency and ensure smooth operations both in terms of providing a safe environment for workers and generating high productivity levels,” said Siemens Energy Venture Partner Illai Gescheit. “We are impressed with Percepto’s growth within a turbulent market and look forward to working with them as they continue to pioneer drone regulations and innovations that will help deliver commercial value to our customers while fulfilling their environmental responsibilities.”
Reinforcing confidence and fuelling market expansion
The reinvestment by Koch Disruptive Technologies reflects their confidence in Percepto’s ability to make companies more profitable by maintaining operational infrastructure even in unpredictable conditions. Organizations across industries are increasingly recognizing the benefits of autonomous and remote drone operations. By automating facility inspections and data analysis, companies can streamline operations, increase safety, and optimize productivity.
“KDT’s reinvestment underlines their confidence in our ability to make companies more profitable by keeping infrastructure operational in the face of the unpredictable,” said Percepto Co-founder and CEO Dor Abuhasira. “Organizations are increasingly discovering the benefits of autonomous and remote drone operations to automate facility inspections and data analysis across their sites. With this new round of funding, new strategic investors, and the new regulations that significantly increase the access to using autonomous drones, the conditions are ripe for the autonomous drone market to expand, and for Percepto to meet the growing demand for automated drone inspections and monitoring at industrial sites.”
Realizing cost savings and mitigating risks
Percepto has made a significant impact on the heavy industry sector. By leveraging their advanced technology, the company provides real-time visibility into the integrity of infrastructure, enabling early detection of potential failures before they turn into major incidents. A notable example of their solution’s effectiveness is demonstrated through an oil and gas customer’s experience. Utilizing Percepto’s Air Max OGI drone, the customer successfully detected a methane gas leak within a matter of hours. This timely detection not only saved the company millions of dollars but also mitigated safety risks and prevented potential environmental damage. The cost savings and risk mitigation capabilities offered by Percepto make their solution highly valuable for industrial sites seeking to enhance operational efficiency and ensure the safety of their assets.
Pioneering drone regulations and innovations
Percepto is at the forefront of drone regulations and innovations. Its AI-powered technology provides heavy industry with the means to maximize efficiency, ensure smooth operations, and fulfil environmental responsibilities. With a focus on delivering commercial value while meeting environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) goals, Percepto’s solutions are trusted by Fortune 500 customers worldwide.
Empowering autonomous drone inspections for industry
Percepto’s $67 million Series C funding and FAA waiver mark a significant milestone in the advancement of autonomous drone inspections at industrial sites. With increased accessibility to automated drones and the removal of operational barriers, companies can now leverage Percepto’s cutting-edge technology to streamline operations, increase safety, and improve productivity. As Percepto continues to innovate and pioneer in the autonomous drone market, the potential for growth and adoption of this transformative technology is vast.
