FLIR adds Aria Insights technology

FLIR Systems said today it has acquired the intellectual property and certain assets of Aria Insights, previously known as CyPhy Works.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Aria, which was founded in 2008 by iRobot co-founder Helen Greiner, specialized in tethered small unmanned aerial systems, FLIR said. The company ceased operations in March of this year.

FLIR said Aria's assets will be integrated into its unmanned systems and integrated solutions division, which also includes its acquisitions of Prox Dynamics in 2016 and both Aeryon Labs and Endeavor Robotics this year.

In an interview with Inside Defense, Roger Wells, general manager of FLIR's unmanned systems and integrated solutions division, said the company has sought to enhance its unmanned business.

"We've been focused in on really trying to add valuable technology and IP to our existing portfolio and doing so in a way that allows us to expand our UAS offerings," he said. "We see this as a big piece."

Wells said FLIR had already been developing tether technology, but the acquisition will help it accelerate its efforts.

"They had some really innovative technology as well as some concepts that we'll be using to augment and enhance the existing capabilities," he said.