AutoModality

AutoModality, founded in 2014 by Dan Hennage and Ed Koch, specializes in autonomous navigation software for mobile robotics, particularly unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The company's core technology, a patented platform named Perceptive Navigation®, enables drones and other robotic systems to operate in environments where GPS and RF signals are unavailable or unreliable. This capability allows for close-proximity inspections of critical infrastructure such as bridges, cell towers, and tunnels, as well as detailed data collection in agricultural settings like orchards and vineyards.

The business was established to address the challenge of conducting safe, efficient, and repeatable inspections in difficult-to-access locations. Co-founder Ed Koch brought significant experience to the venture, having previously co-founded Akuacom, a demand response software firm acquired by Honeywell, and Coactive Networks. His background includes leading the development of early route guidance systems at Navteq and involvement in smart grid standardization efforts. The company's business model appears to be centered on providing turnkey autonomous robotics solutions and services, catering to a range of industries including agriculture, transportation, mining, and communications. This involves deploying a combination of off-the-shelf drone hardware with their proprietary software and sensor packages, which include Lidar, thermal, and visual cameras for guidance and data capture.

AutoModality's primary product is its Perceptive Navigation® software platform, which facilitates autonomous flight without reliance on GPS. This allows for the collection of high-quality, actionable data by enabling vehicles to fly close to assets. The system is designed to enhance the safety and efficiency of inspections while reducing future maintenance costs. The company's offerings have been applied to create detailed 3D models and conduct assessments in various sectors. Throughout its history, AutoModality secured approximately $4.8 million in funding over four rounds from investors including Genius NY, Litecap, and the National Science Foundation. In November 2022, the company was acquired by FarmX, Inc., an AgTech firm, to integrate AutoModality's robotics navigation with FarmX's crop management platform.

Keywords: autonomous navigation, UAV software, drone inspection, GPS-denied navigation, infrastructure inspection, Perceptive Navigation, mobile robotics, robotic systems, asset inspection, close-proximity data collection, agricultural technology, AgTech, unmanned aerial vehicles, robotics control software, drone services, Lidar guidance, situational awareness, FarmX acquisition, autonomous flight control, mobile mapping, transportation inspection, mining robotics, communications infrastructure, structural integrity