Twente spin-out takes flight

Clear Flight Solutions, a robotics spin-out of Twente University, has raised €1.6m ($1.7m) to support the development of its robotic birds.

Cottonwood Euro Technology Fund, a US-based investor, was the sole investor in the round. Cottonwood, which is a partner of Twente University, is looking to invest at the early-stage in innovative regions outside of Silicon Valley and Boston.

The bird-like drones are looking to reduce damage in areas affected by bird activity, such as airports, oil and gas sites, harbours, and waste management facilities. Costs to airports worldwide caused by birds is estimated to run into the billions of dollars, which cause property damage and can even claim lives by accidentally flying into an engine.

Birds also learn to circumnavigate existing bird control systems. Clear Flight looks to overcome this by deploying robotic birds which mimic the look and flight patterns of peregrine falcons, which is a natural predator for most nuisance birds. The robotic version is so convincing that it inspires fear in regular birds, and causes them to steer clear of airports and other areas plagued by bird-related damage.

Nico Nijenhuis, CEO of Clear Flight Solutions, said: “We have completed a very successful trial at a waste management site in Twente, which is one of the most challenging environments. Currently, we have committed to a number of trial runs and are in discussion across every application area – including one of the leading European airports. Cottonwood’s investment will allow us to execute these trials, and their worldwide network with industry leaders will bring our company to the next level.”