Asylon Secures $26M Series B for Robot Guard Dogs
▼ Summary
– Asylon, a Philadelphia robotics company, raised $26 million in Series B funding led by Insight Partners, with participation from other investors.
– The company offers robotic security-as-a-service (RaaS), including drone and robotic guard dog (DroneDog) solutions for facility security.
– Asylon’s DroneDog can perform tasks like detecting gas leaks or dangerous chemicals, replacing human or real dog patrols in unsafe areas.
– Founded in 2015, Asylon has now raised about $45 million total, including previous funding and government grants.
– A successful live demo in 2021, despite a last-minute drone crash, secured Asylon’s next three Fortune 500 customers and a DoD contract.
Philadelphia robotics firm Asylon has secured $26 million in Series B funding to expand its innovative robotic security solutions, including its DroneDog service that transforms Boston Dynamics’ Spot robots into high-tech security guards. The investment round was spearheaded by Insight Partners, with additional backing from Veteran Ventures Capital, Allegion Ventures, and the GoPA Fund.
Originally launching as a drone security provider, Asylon gained recognition for developing autonomous drones capable of swapping their own batteries mid-flight. The company has since evolved its offerings to include a comprehensive robotic security-as-a-service (RaaS) platform that combines aerial drones with modified Spot robots for ground patrols. These robotic systems provide 24/7 surveillance, covering more ground than traditional stationary cameras while eliminating risks to human security personnel.
Unlike many robotics startups that aggressively pursue venture capital, Asylon has taken a measured approach to growth. Prior to this latest funding, the company had raised approximately $21 million along with government grants. Founder and CEO Damon Henry attributes the recent investor interest to growing corporate security concerns following high-profile incidents like the fatal attack on UnitedHealthcare’s CEO last December.
The DroneDog service represents a significant shift in physical security, offering capabilities beyond human guards at an annual cost comparable to executive protection services. These robotic sentries can detect hazards like gas leaks or chemical threats while patrolling areas too dangerous for living counterparts. Henry notes that security budgets have expanded considerably, making robotic solutions increasingly attractive to Fortune 500 companies and government agencies.
The company’s origins trace back to an MIT dorm room where Henry and his co-founders, CTO Adam Mohamed and COO Brent McLaughlin, first conceived the idea after being inspired by Amazon’s drone delivery announcement. Unlike many tech startup stories, the trio completed their degrees and gained valuable aerospace experience at industry leaders before launching Asylon in 2015.
A pivotal moment came in 2021 when a last-minute drone failure nearly derailed a crucial demonstration for Ford and several Fortune 500 prospects. Through an all-night effort by their team, Asylon not only salvaged the presentation but impressed attendees enough to secure multiple major contracts, including their first Department of Defense deal.
Today, Asylon employs 65 people and operates security systems across 15 states. The new funding will accelerate deployment of their RaaS platform, combining aerial surveillance with ground-based robotic patrols to create comprehensive security networks for corporate and government clients. With security concerns driving increased investment in autonomous solutions, Asylon’s technology positions the company at the forefront of this emerging market.
(Source: TechCrunch)
