Startup Armada is using AI to reach remote locations with satellites

Armada, founded by former DataRobot CEO Dan Wright, provides edge computing to remote battlegrounds, mines, and oil rigs in collaboration with SpaceX, raising $55 million.

Under the direction of former DataRobot CEO Dan Wright, Armada, which was founded a year ago, is providing edge computing to remote battlegrounds, mines, and oil rigs by means of a "close collaboration" with Elon Musk's SpaceX. At a valuation of about $250 million, it has raised $55 million. A key problem prevents the straightforward implementation of these exciting new AI models on remote mines, oil rigs, elite military locations, firefighting outposts, and even professional surfing competitions: data. Cameras, remote sensors, and drones are producing terabytes of data. After that, it usually simply sits there. Armada has been working on what it believes to be the solution for the last year: a full-stack technology platform that provides industrial devices with AI-grade computing power. To that end, building on Elon Musk's SpaceX is a major part.

While other companies have leveraged SpaceX as a launchpad for their aspirations to mine or produce in space, Armada believes its system is the first built on top of SpaceX's Starlink network of internet provider satellites. Its Commander software suite includes tools for connecting to and managing Starlinks and other internet assets, ensuring access in remote regions. To interact with produced data while on the go, Armada offers an app store with both its own and third-party applications (visualize sensors warning you of upcoming maintenance or surprise visits at a remote mining site).