Ben Simmen

Editor in Chief

Ben Simmen is the Editor in Chief of Circuit. With over 12 years of experience in the field of emerging technologies, Ben's passion for autonomy and mobile robotics has driven him to uncover the latest trends and analysis to shed light on this rapidly evolving landscape.

Inside Dexory's Vision to Transform Warehousing with AI and Autonomous Robots

Dexory’s CEO Andrei Danescu envisions a future where warehouses run smarter and faster, using data and automation to solve real-world logistics challenges.

PAL Robotics Celebrates 20 Years, Eyes the Future of Robotics and AI Integration

Founded in 2004 as a small startup in Barcelona, PAL Robotics has evolved into an influential firm, pioneering applications in research, retail, healthcare, agri-food, and industrial settings.

Voliro’s New T Version 5 Drone Aims to Reinvent Inspections

With the addition of 5G connectivity and enhanced hardware for durability, the Version 5 upgrade is designed to meet the evolving needs of industries where accuracy and efficiency aren’t just nice to have—they’re essential.

Powering the Future: L-Charge’s Vision for Electrifying EVs and Supporting Autonomous Fleets

L-Charge is addressing the growing demand for EV and autonomous vehicle charging infrastructure with off-grid, high-capacity stations

Voliro Raises $12M to Scale Aerial Robotics for Industrial Inspections

This latest funding brings the total capital raised by the company to $22 million, positioning Voliro to accelerate its growth and expand the use of its cutting-edge drones in industrial inspection, maintenance, and repair.

Skydio Unveils Fully Autonomous Drone Solution with Dock for X10

The Dock for X10 enables fully autonomous drone operations, allowing drones to capture data independently at scale, without the need for a dedicated operator, and promises to transform industries like public safety, infrastructure monitoring, and construction.

Quantum Systems Secures Over €100M in Series B Funding, Eyes Global Expansion

This latest investment round sets Quantum Systems up for its next phase of growth, and with backers like Notion Capital and Porsche SE, the company seems poised to capitalize on a booming market for AI-driven drone solutions.

Blueye Robotics: Bringing the Ocean's Depths Into Focus

What started as a small Norwegian company aiming to make ocean access more accessible has evolved into a global provider of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), used by industries as varied as aquaculture, law enforcement, and marine research.

ACSL Launches Thermal Camera and Strengthens Advisory Board

ACSL’s new moves, from cutting-edge technology to strategic leadership additions, are setting the stage for what could be a pivotal year for the company. With plans to continue expanding its offerings and market share, ACSL seems poised to make its mark in the U.S.

How Soft Drones Could Revolutionize High-Speed Delivery

This new type of drone with a soft aerial manipulator capable of high-speed and versatile grasping using onboard perception could significantly impact industries ranging from logistics to emergency response.

Unlocking the Potential of Drone Swarms for Next-Gen Aerial Transport

Researchers at City University of Hong Kong are pioneering a method that could redefine not just drone delivery but aerial transportation as a whole.

How Robots Are Transforming Logistics and the Future of Work

By 2025, it’s estimated that up to 50,000 warehouses will be using around 4 million robots, highlighting the scale of this shift.

MIT Unveil Next-Gen Tiny Drones with Insect-Like Agility

Drawing inspiration from the acrobatics of insects like mosquitoes and bumblebees, the MIT team has created drones powered by a novel type of soft actuator.

The Drone Show Market: A Transformative Force in Events and Advertising

The drone show market is rapidly expanding, revolutionizing how events and advertising are conducted by offering innovative, eco-friendly alternatives to traditional displays.

Drones and Data: Why the Focus Needs to Shift Back to Innovation

While regulatory compliance may become increasingly non-negotiable, it’s how we utilize the data collected by drones that will determine the future of the industry.

Drone delivery is making logistics on Mount Everest greener

The tests not only showcases the technological capability of DJI’s FlyCart 30 but also opens up new possibilities for safer and more efficient mountaineering logistics and environmental conservation.

Lessons in Resilience and Innovation from Zipline's Co-Founders

The story of Zipline, a company revolutionizing medical supply delivery through drones, offers a masterclass in resilience, innovation, and the pursuit of meaningful impact

DroneShield Reports Record First Quarter Revenues

DroneShield has achieved a tenfold increase compared to the first quarter of 2023, where the company reported $9.3 million in profits after tax for the year.

The Future of Graffiti Removal with Drones

Equipped with a spray nozzle and tethered to a ground-based paint supply, these drones are set to revolutionize how we maintain our urban infrastructure.

Apptronik Teams Up with NVIDIA to Supercharge Humanoid Robots with AI

The synergy between Apollo and Project GR00T show us a future where humanoid robots can seamlessly blend into human-centric environments.

Japanese Drone Innovator ACSL Launches SOTEN Drone in the U.S. Market

This move marks a significant step in ACSL's expansion into the U.S. drone market, following the company’s entry in May 2023.

The Game-Changing Impact of Hybrid Drones on Modern Warfare

These innovative devices, which combine the versatility of ground robotics with the agility of aerial drones, are not just technological advancements but strategic game-changers on the battlefield.

1X Raises $100 Million for Next-Gen Android NEO

Expanding Horizons in AI Robotics with Series B Funding

Shield AI Raises $500 Million in Series F Funding for AI-Piloted Aircraft Development

This expansion includes an additional $100 million in equity, matched with the Series F price, and a $200 million debt contribution from Hercules Capital.

Manna Drone Delivery Uplifts Halloween Spirits in North Texas with Aerial Candy Drops

This Halloween venture marked the commencement of Manna Drone Delivery's operations in the United States.

Flytrex and CAU Secure Landmark FAA Approval, Paving Way for Mass-Scale Drone Deliveries

This exemption will allow CAU to remotely pilot drones Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) without the need for visual observers.

Elevating to New Heights - The Open Sky Revolution

The drone industry's history is rooted in a dynamic: open source. Once an experiment of tinkerers and DIY enthusiasts, open source has now become the bedrock of drone development

Flying Into the Future: Aerial Robotics and the Reinvention of Infrastructure Inspection

We are now witnessing the dawn of flying robots, not just equipped to see, but to touch and interact.

Speedbird Aero Secures $2M in Funding to Boost Drone Delivery Services

The company reports having transported around 10,000 kg of cargo, serving roughly 3 million people, and has forged partnerships with more than 10 significant global companies.

Is Fotokite Set To Emerge As The Next Big Player In Public Safety Tech?

While allowing their customers to better handle and make decisions in complicated and dangerous situations, Fotokite has done the same, emerging from the challenges of a global supply chain crisis and pandemic, in a strong position for growth.

OhioHealth Selects Zipline for Medical Drone Delivery

Using Zipline's next-generation Platform 2, OhioHealth plans to employ electric drones to efficiently deliver prescriptions directly to patients' homes and transport lab samples and medical supplies between healthcare facilities.

Parrot Shifts Focus to Defense, Announces New Strategies in H1 2023 Report

In the wake of its 2023 first-half earnings report, the drone company Parrot is set to redefine its industrial organization and operations to mitigate slow government orders and minimize cash consumption.

New York Power Authority's $37.2 Million Drone Program Takes Flight

This program, set to unfold over the next five years, will significantly enhance the state's energy infrastructure and efficiency.

Shifting Skies: Chinese Drone Ban Alters Dynamics of the US Commercial Drone Sector

What you need to know on the legislative developments, state and local bans, and the resulting impact of the Chinese drone ban on the commercial drone market in the United States.