Merlin Labs builds an AI-powered operating system intended to let aircraft fly autonomously from takeoff to touchdown. Its product, Merlin Pilot, is software that translates human pilot skills into code capable of thinking and adapting in real time. The system has powered five aircraft types and logged more than 800 flight hours.
The company's work spans AI and machine learning, autonomous flight systems, real-time adaptive software and certified aviation software. Building autonomy that regulators will accept is central to the task: the firm describes its focus as the intersection of aviation safety and cutting-edge autonomy, with engineering, flight operations and regulatory affairs collaborating closely and an emphasis on earning the trust of governments, regulators and customers.
Merlin operates test facilities in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Zealand, and employs more than 100 people. Its customers include military buyers, from whom it holds more than $100M in prime contracts. The industry verticals it serves are aviation and aerospace, defence, autonomous aircraft and government-regulated aviation. The company's stated motto is "Find a way or make one".
