Iris Automation has closed a successful round of $13 million in Series B venture capital funding.

Known for its Detect-and-Avoid (DAA) system, Casia, Iris Automation will use this latest investment for several initiatives, including to expand machine learning and AI capabilities and testing to improve and extend the Casia system’s performance envelope; to continue to improve detection and classification capabilities of the Casia system to support expanded use cases, operational environments and aircraft compatibility; and to build out fulfillment capabilities to produce, deliver and support the growing installed base of aircraft OEM partners and end use customers, and enter new markets associated with aircraft safety.

The computer vision technology company will also use the funding to continue to participate in the FAA’s BEYOND program, which is focused on enabling beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) UAS operations to advance airspace integration. BEYOND will demonstrate operations that are “repeatable, scalable and economically viable,” with specific emphasis on infrastructure inspection, public safety operations and small package delivery.

“We are incredibly excited about this show of support from our current and new investors, particularly during this unprecedented global pandemic,” says Jon Damush, CEO of Iris Automation.

“We have always known that our approach to the problem solves a critical missing link for unpiloted systems, and plan to deploy this capital to further expand our capabilities and improve safety for unpiloted systems as global regulators work to integrate UAS into existing airspaces. The investment clearly illustrates investor confidence in growth of the sector and specifically Iris’ role in the ecosystem.”