FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 7, 2017
Contact: Tom McMahon, tmcmahon@auvsi.org, (571) 255-7786

AUVSI Announces LiquidPiston as Winner of Novus Unmanned 2017

Winner of selected group of innovative startups impressed industry’s leading venture capitalists with state-of-the-art engine designs

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) has announced LiquidPiston as this year’s winner of Novus Unmanned, a conference of premier innovators and investors in unmanned systems technology from around the world. The event took place in San Francisco on Nov. 1.

Based out of Bloomfield, Conn., LiquidPiston develops advanced rotary engines based on the company’s patented thermodynamic cycle and engine architecture. The combustion engines are scalable from 1HP to over 1000 HP. They are designed to be compact, powerful, quiet, efficient, low-vibration and multi-fuel. The startup is currently working on developing the power-dense, near-zero vibration, quiet X Mini, 70cc gasoline powered rotary four-stroke engine.

As the winner of Novus Unmanned, LiquidPiston will receive the grand prize valued at over $50,000, comprised of products and services, ranging from membership in AUVSI to advertising and marketing opportunities at an AUVSI-hosted event, such as Unmanned Systems Defense, Protection and Security, XPONENTIAL, and the Automated Vehicle Symposium.

AUVSI talked with Alexander Shkolnik, CEO and co- founder of LiquidPiston, to discuss his vision for the future of the unmanned systems industry and what this competition means for the startup. In the video interview, Shkolnik said, “We’re really thrilled about [winning the prize]. We're [at NOVUS Unmanned] raising money and connecting with investors… and hopefully that will take us to a pre-production prototype in partnership with somebody to take this to the next level.” The full interview is available here.

“Novus Unmanned is a wonderful opportunity for industry stakeholders to come together and discuss the latest developments in unmanned systems technology, such as LiquidPiston’s engines,” said Brian Wynne, president and CEO of AUVSI. “All of the selected finalists submitted impressive and innovative applications, highlighting their vision of the future of the unmanned systems industry.”

For more information on Novus Unmanned and the startups featured at the event, please visit the event’s website at www.auvsi.org/novusunmanned, or contact at Tom McMahon at tmcmahon@auvsi.org.

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About AUVSI

The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) — the world's largest non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of unmanned systems and robotics — represents more than 7,500 members from more than 60 countries involved in the fields of government, industry and academia. AUVSI members work in the defense, civil and commercial markets. For more information, visit AUVSI.org.