Covelus Aerospace, hello Web!
First post from Covelus Aerospace, a start-up we have been developing since Q4 2023.
Robust Autonomy
AI-assisted autonomous robotics, built on open technologies.
Covelus Aerospace develops advanced AI-assisted autonomous robotic solutions for agriculture, forestry, climate monitoring, industry, infrastructure inspection, search and rescue, security surveillance and other sectors. Cost-competitive, adaptable and European, open to partners and projects worldwide.
TL;DR
Two software solutions, two robotic platforms
A modular stack based on heavily tested open-source technologies based on the 'Open Source Robotics Foundation' and the 'Dronecode Foundation' and developed in accordance with DO-178C and the corresponding ECSS standards.
Inside the Robot
> # Modular, Robust, Secure and Resilient On-Board Software
Pilot AI: autonomous robot pilot software
Modular software for autonomously piloting UAS and UGV platforms, developed following the European Space Agency’s ECSS standards and DO-178C.
Mission Control: ground station mission planner
Multiplatform, multilingual, multi-robot mission planning with analytics, ready to work offline.
UGV and UAS platforms
Open standards-based ground rovers, copters and fixed-wing aircraft.
What we offer
Autonomous robotics you can own, adapt and rely on
A new option for organisations that want autonomy without compromises:
Cost-competitive and future-proof
Built on open, widely adopted technologies: no vendor lock-in, long-term maintainability and freedom to evolve your system.
Flexible and adaptable to your domain
Modular hardware and software, customised for your mission, sensors and payloads, whatever the sector.
Designed and built in Europe
Technology created and manufactured locally, strengthening European industry and reducing dependence on imports, with support close to you.
Your data stays under your control
AI runs on board and missions can be planned offline, so your data does not need to leave your systems. If you prefer, we can host it for you, all in the EU, subject to the GDPR. Open, auditable software lets you verify exactly what it does.
Observable autonomy
Autonomy you can see, check and trust
Our robots do not ask for blind trust. You can see what they will do, follow what they are doing, and review what they did.
Before the mission: preview
Run the robot’s own path-planning algorithms in the ground station while designing the mission, and know what to expect before it starts.
During the mission: supervise
Unless the connectivity is lost (and full autonomy going on), follow the mission live and take over through teleoperation whenever you need to.
After the mission: review
Collect and analyse mission data to learn from every operation. In development.
Always: open and auditable
Open-source foundations and auditable algorithms: you can inspect what the software does instead of taking it on faith.
Our approach
How we build it
Well-tested open-source stack
Built on open-hardware and open-source robotics, GNU/Linux, open-source real-time operating systems (RTOS) and other open technologies: resilient, cost-effective, transparent, auditable and customisable.
State-of-the-art algorithms
Our own implementations of recently published AI and path-planning research, solving problems in innovative and efficient ways.
Retrained AI models
Robust models retrained with custom data adapted to our hardware, such as thermal vision, for effective pattern recognition and decision-making.
Hardware-agnostic
Compatible with open-source and open-hardware technologies: off-the-shelf autopilots or custom-built robots.
Diverse adaptability
Configurable for a broad range of applications, such as agriculture, inspection, industry, rescue, security, etc.
Robust by Design
Software developed following the European Space Agency’s ECSS standards.
Security and Safety by Design
Security and safety, including functional safety, are considered from the first design decision, not added at the end: in the robots, the ground station and the data.
User-Centred Design
Designed around the people who operate our systems: clear interfaces and workflows that fit the mission.
Validation
Verified, validated (V&V), and tested in the field
Prototype-validated
Pilot AI, Mission Control and our UGV platform are prototype-validated and ready for external technical validation.
Agricultural pilot projects
Tested with European agricultural SMEs and agro-cooperatives.
Open to new operators
We are looking for end users and partners for field tests and deployments, from defence to agro-business and industrial inspection.
Latest news
View all posts »Follow our progress: prototypes, projects and announcements.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Which sectors do you work with?
Agriculture, industry, infrastructure inspection, surveillance, security, etc: our solutions are robust and configurable for each case.
Do you work outside Europe?
Yes. We are a European company open to partners and projects worldwide, in compliance with the applicable export regulations.
Can the ground station work without Internet?
Yes. Mission Control supports offline maps, so missions can be planned and executed offline.
Is the use of AI mandatory?
No. The product is modular and the companion computer (SoC) that runs the AI is optional, so the robots can work without any AI at all. They can even be fully controlled with a remote controller, although in a more limited way.
Where does the AI run?
On board, at the edge: on AI-capable companion SoCs for AI workloads, or other SoCs for lighter ones. Optionally, if the user enables it, the ground station software can also run AI algorithms to enhance missions.
Do you take on custom development projects?
Yes. Besides our own products, our team develops AI, software, robotics and custom payload solutions for other companies, from specification to deployment, either as complete outsourced projects or as reinforcement for your in-house team.
Are you looking for partners?
Yes: for technical validation, operator testing, co-development with hardware manufacturers and joint EU grant proposals.
Have a mission in mind?
Schedule a technical deep-dive or a demo of our rover and ground station.