Auterion is building what it calls the operating system for autonomous robotics, aiming to be the 'Microsoft for drones.' AuterionOS provides a common software layer that runs across drones and uncrewed systems from many manufacturers, decoupling autonomy software from hardware so operators can scale fleets using affordable, commoditized airframes.
The company's strategy centers on swarms rather than individual aircraft. Its Nemyx defense system coordinates many autonomous drones into a single combined force operating across air, land and sea domains, a capability increasingly central to modern military doctrine. By standardizing the software stack, Auterion lets defense customers field large numbers of low-cost systems that act in concert.
Founded by Dr. Lorenz Meier, a pioneer of open-source drone autonomy and an MIT Technology Review Innovator Under 35, Auterion has roots in the PX4 open flight-control ecosystem. That open foundation underpins its pitch of vendor-neutral, software-defined autonomy at scale.
In September 2025 Auterion raised a $130 million Series B led by Bessemer Venture Partners at a valuation north of $600 million, with existing investors Lakestar, Mosaic Ventures and Costanoa Ventures participating. Of the round, $25 million was non-dilutive capital tied to the US Department of Defense's Office of Strategic Capital.
Auterion's wager is that future conflicts and commercial drone operations alike will be won by software-defined autonomy and swarming, not by any single expensive platform.