Pyka
Pyka is an industrial aviation company based in Oakland, CA, specializing in autonomous electric aircraft for cargo transport and crop protection, aiming to make aviation safer, cleaner, and more cost-effective.
Company Overview
Pyka is an industrial aviation company headquartered in Oakland, CA, USA, with a team of 60 employees. The company operates within the aviation and space sub-industry and offers autonomous electric aircraft designed for cargo transport and crop protection. Pyka operates across four continents and has a presence in regions such as the United States of America, America/Canada, and partially remote settings. The company's mission is to make aviation safer, cleaner, and more cost-effective through automation and electrification.
Autonomous Electric Cargo Aircraft
Pyka has developed the Pelican Cargo, the first large-scale autonomous electric cargo aircraft. This aircraft enhances express delivery networks, ensuring fast shipping of critical supplies. It is designed for heavy-payload, long-range, and off-airport operations. The Pelican Cargo's innovation lies in its ability to significantly reduce CO2 emissions compared to traditional cargo aircraft. This aircraft utilizes Pyka's proprietary flight control software, avionics, high power density motors, motor controllers, batteries, and custom carbon-fiber composite airframes.
Autonomous Crop Protection Aircraft
Pyka offers the Pelican Spray, an autonomous aircraft focused on crop protection. This aircraft combines spray precision and chemical drift reduction technologies to offer a safer, more precise aerial application. The Pelican Spray leverages Pyka's proprietary technologies to provide an effective, environmentally-friendly solution for the agricultural industry. This innovation helps in reducing the environmental impact by significantly lowering CO2 emissions in crop protection processes.
Regulatory Approvals
Pyka has secured industry-first regulatory approvals from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). These regulatory accomplishments enable Pyka to operate its autonomous electric aircraft for both cargo transport and crop protection. The FAA approvals validate Pyka's commitment to making aviation safer and more efficient through its advanced technologies and autonomous solutions.
Y-Combinator and Innovation
Pyka was part of the Y-Combinator S17 batch, which provided a platform for early-stage growth and development. Through this experience, Pyka has been able to further its mission of automation and electrification in the aviation industry. The company's innovations include proprietary flight control software, high power density motors, and custom carbon-fiber composite airframes, which contribute to the safety, efficiency, and environmental friendliness of their aircraft.