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SARA INC, CYPRESS | COLORADO SPRINGS
Press Release:
SARA Sues Zipline Over Misappropriation and Use of Proprietary Acoustic "Detect and Avoid" Technology for UAVs
On August 2, 2022, Scientific Applications & Research Associates (SARA), Inc. filed a Complaint against Zipline International, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California for patent infringement, trade secret misappropriation, and unfair competition, stemming from Zipline’s misappropriation and use of SARA’s proprietary acoustic “detect and avoid” (DAA) technology for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV’s).
SARA developed a first-of-its-kind acoustic collision avoidance technology for UAV’s and filed for patent protection on October 17, 2007. U.S. Patent No. 7,606,115, entitled “Acoustic Airspace Collision Detection System”, issued on October 20, 2009. Since then, SARA has continued to enhance its acoustic DAA technology, demonstrating superior performance and scalability, and has partnered with major players in the UAV industry.
According to the complaint, "Since at least April 2020, Zipline has been manufacturing, using, selling, offering to sell, and/or licensing UAV’s featuring Acoustic DAA systems which infringe one or more claims of SARA’s ’115 patent. Additionally, successful implementation of SARA’s Acoustic DAA technology into Zipline’s UAV’s requires the unauthorized use of SARA’s proprietary technology, trade secrets, and know-how. On information and belief, Zipline has thus misappropriated and is using SARA’s trade secrets in violation of California and federal trade secret laws, and in breach of the Confidential Non-Disclosure Agreement executed by the parties."
Zipline’s announcement, on June 7, 2022, that it had developed an acoustic DAA system comes on the heels of its recent announcements of a partnership with Walmart for deployment of home delivery drone services and of having raised $250 Million of new funding at a valuation of $2.75 Billion.
The complaint lays out a timeline of the relationship between SARA and Zipline: "In 2017, Zipline entered into discussions with SARA related to incorporating SARA’s acoustic DAA technology into Zipline’s delivery UAV’s. As part of these discussions, the parties entered into a Confidential Non-Disclosure Agreement. That Agreement included a description of the proprietary information to be shared by the parties indicating that SARA would be sharing information related to its acoustic sense and avoid technology for UAV’s. During 2017 and early 2018, the companies’ ongoing discussions led to negotiation of a term sheet describing the proposed details of their partnership. As part of these discussions, Zipline was made aware of SARA’s ’115 patent and its Acoustic DAA technology. Zipline also obtained confidential, proprietary, and trade secret information about SARA’s products and technology, subject to the Confidential Non-Disclosure Agreement between the parties. In 2018, Zipline ceased communications with SARA relating to this potential partnership."
"SARA’s development of acoustic DAA technology was an essential breakthrough that allows UAV’s to safely operate in support of commercial applications, including delivery, in compliance with FAA regulations," said Dr. Parviz Parhami, CEO of SARA. "The lawsuit filed by SARA represents SARA’s commitment to steadfast protection of its intellectual property, and protects the hard work and innovation of its world class team of engineers."
Scientific Applications & Research Associates (SARA), Inc. v. Zipline International, Inc., No. 3:22-cv-4480 (N.D. Cal.)
SARA is being represented by Maynard Cooper & Gale LLP.
To read more about SARA’s airborne DAA solution, see: https://sara.com/threat/air-
SARA Inc in the news: Zipline faces patent lawsuit over drone detection and avoidance technology.
On August 2, 2022, Scientific Applications & Research Associates (SARA), Inc. filed a Complaint against Zipline International, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California for patent infringement, trade secret misappropriation, and unfair competition, stemming from Zipline’s misappropriation and use of SARA’s proprietary acoustic “detect and avoid” (DAA) technology for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV’s).
SARA developed a first-of-its-kind acoustic collision avoidance technology for UAV’s and filed for patent protection on October 17, 2007. U.S. Patent No. 7,606,115, entitled “Acoustic Airspace Collision Detection System”, issued on October 20, 2009. Since then, SARA has continued to enhance its acoustic DAA technology and has partnered with major players in the UAV industry.
Zipline’s announcement, on June 7, 2022, that it had developed an acoustic DAA system comes on the heels of its recent announcements of a partnership with Walmart for deployment of home delivery drone services and of having raised $250 Million of new funding at a valuation of $2.75 Billion.
SARA’s development of acoustic DAA technology is a historic achievement that will allow small UAV’s to operate as delivery vehicles in compliance with FAA regulations. The lawsuit filed by SARA represents SARA’s commitment to steadfast protection of its intellectual property, and the hard work and innovation of its world class team of engineers.
Scientific Applications & Research Associates (SARA), Inc. v. Zipline International, Inc., No. 3:22-cv-4480 (N.D. Cal.).
SARA is being represented by Maynard Cooper & Gale LLP.
Aviation Week editors chose the Golden Horde team (led by SARA as the Prime Contractor) as one of four DoD winners of their Laureate Awards for extraordinary achievements embodying the spirit of exploration, innovation, and vision. The write-up states:
"Showing the potential to upend military thinking in a way not seen since the creation of precision-guided munitions, the Air Force Research Laboratory demonstrated swarming technology for networked munitions. Tests demonstrated how collaborating weapons could be redirected in flight, synchronized to impact simultaneously, and hit two separate targets."
https://laureates.aviationweek.com/en/winners/2021-winners.html
American Robotics and Scientific Applications & Research Associates (SARA) Partner to Further Advance Fully-Autonomous Drone Operations in U.S. National Airspace.
The Golden Horde Vanguard Program continues to improve their software technology and had a successful test in February. Read more about the success in the article written by Air Force Magazine.
https://www.airforcemag.com/air-forces-weapon-swarming-project-fares-better-in-second-test/
American Robotics receives first FAA BVLOS Waiver because of the acoustic aircraft detection provided by SARA’s TASA system.
See the approval documents on the Government Regulation Websites: https://beta.regulations.gov/document/FAA-2019-0775-0008
The following articles go more in depth on the approvals received and what this could mean for the future of BVLOS.
The Wall Street Journal
https://www.wsj.com/articles/faa-approves-first-fully-automated-commercial-drone-flights-11610749377?mod=hp_lead_pos11
Yahoo News
https://news.yahoo.com/american-robotics-gets-faa-nod-013804340.html?guccounter=1
Gizmodo.com
https://gizmodo.com/faa-authorizes-first-commercial-smart-drone-flights-1846072684
The Robot Report
https://www.therobotreport.com/faas-landmark-means-commercial-drones-american-robotics/
December 15th SARA and the AFLR completed the first ever Air Force flight demonstration of collaborative weapons with the Golden Horde Vanguard Program. The Air Force Research Library Public Affairs released the following article on the test.
SARA Inc. was featured as one of the top Drone Tech Solutions Provider in 2020 by CIO Review. Check out the article to see how we are redefining aerial artificial perception and situational awareness.
With drones flying onto the scene, there are many obstacles they face, especially operation BVLOS. We are SARA Inc. are working to make your drone operations easier and more manageble. With our Terrestrial Acoustic Sensor Array (TASA, we can help you with your BVLOS issues. Watch the video elow to learn more about TASA and what it can do for you.
SARA’s PANCAS has been integrated into NASA’s HQ-90 Drone and is ready for field trials.
https://www.aerotechnews.com/blog/2020/11/04/hq-90-arrives-at-nasas-armstrong-frc/
SARA is teaming up with the AFRL for the Golden Horde program. This program’s goal is to help create a way to teach weapons how to think for themselves. Check out this article from the Air Force Magazine to learn more about the Golden Horde program.
https://www.airforcemag.com/air-force-wants-help-teaching-its-weapon-swarm-how-to-think/
