Manifold Robotics
"Specialized Drone Payloads for BVLOS Operations"
Brooklyn-based drone and USV startup founded 2016 (NYU spinoff); uses EMF sensing for BVLOS power line inspection and AI vision for autonomous surface vessels.
Manifold Robotics, Inc. is a Brooklyn, New York-based robotics company founded in 2016 as a spinoff from the New York University Tandon School of Engineering, with Jeffrey Laut serving as founder, CEO, and Head Engineer. The company develops specialized autonomous systems for two primary applications: electromagnetic field (EMF)-guided drone navigation near high-voltage power lines, and AI-powered computer vision platforms for unmanned surface vessels (USVs) conducting water quality surveys. For its drone technology, Manifold Robotics leverages EMF sensing technology originally licensed from the Army Research Laboratory to enable drones to detect the presence of transmission lines and estimate distances from them, supporting collision avoidance and autonomous line-tracking for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations.
The company has partnered with the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to advance UAS-based inspection of the electric grid. The FAA has issued a BVLOS waiver to Manifold Robotics based on its EMF technology. For its aquatic robotics line, Manifold Robotics developed the SeaVis AI platform, a deep learning computer vision framework that identifies and classifies obstacles encountered by USVs during surface water surveys; this work was supported by NSF SBIR Phase I funding ($225,000) completed in October 2020.
The company is based at New Lab, the innovation hub at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Investors include the National Science Foundation, SeaAhead, and PowerBridgeNY. Manifold Robotics has approximately 3 full-time employees.
Primary type & automation activities this supplier delivers:
EMF Navigation Payload
Electromagnetic field sensor payload enabling drones to detect and track high-voltage power lines for safe BVLOS inspection flights.
SeaVis AI
AI computer vision platform for unmanned surface vessels that identifies and classifies obstacles during surface water survey operations.
Contact Manifold Robotics
WEBSITE
https://www.manifoldrobotics.comPHONE
+1 646-470-8792HEADQUARTERS
United States
Company Facts
Founded
2016
Primary Role
Manufacturer
Company Size
-
Primary Region
North America
Annual Sales
-
Funding Stage
-
Funding Total
-
Certifications & Memberships
