ModalAI
About
About ModalAI
ModalAI packages Qualcomm processors, PX4 flight control, visual-inertial odometry and sensor interfaces into small modules for drone and robot developers. The VOXL software stack supports perception, planning, communications and integration with cameras and other payloads.
The San Diego company was formed by former Qualcomm engineers in 2018. It supplies Blue UAS Framework components and complete development aircraft for defence, commercial and research users that need NDAA-compliant autonomy hardware.
Products
Supply
Supply chain relationships
- Bosch Sensortec
Inbound - robotics sensors - ModalAI's documented VOXL 2 M0054 board configuration includes a Bosch Sensortec BMP388 barometer
Source - TDK-InvenSense
Inbound - robotics sensors - ModalAI Stinger Vision FPV incorporates a TDK barometer through its VOXL 2 Mini autopilot
Source - TDK-InvenSense
Inbound - robotics sensors - ModalAI Starling 2 Max incorporates two TDK ICM-42688P IMUs through its VOXL 2 autopilot
Source - TDK-InvenSense
Inbound - robotics sensors - ModalAI Starling 2 Max incorporates a TDK barometer through its VOXL 2 autopilot
Source - Microhard Systems
Inbound - Connectivity - ModalAI offers a Microhard pMDDL2450 modem in the Starling 2 Max M11-T9 configuration
Source - Qualcomm
Inbound - Compute & Control - ModalAI specifies Qualcomm QRB5165 as the VOXL 2 processor
Source - ALFA Network
Inbound - Communications - ModalAI identifies the ALFA Network AWUS036EACS as the Starling 2 Max data-transmission device
Source - TDK-InvenSense
Inbound - robotics sensors - ModalAI Stinger Vision FPV incorporates two TDK ICM-42688 IMUs
Source - Qualcomm
Inbound - Compute & Control - ModalAI specifies QRB5165 compute in the VOXL 2 Mini aboard Stinger Vision FPV
Source - Qualcomm
Inbound - Compute & Control - ModalAI Starling 2 Max incorporates Qualcomm QRB5165 compute through its VOXL 2 autopilot
Source - TDK-InvenSense
Inbound - robotics sensors - ModalAI VOXL 2 incorporates two TDK ICM-42688P IMUs
Source - u-blox
Inbound - Positioning & Navigation - ModalAI specifies u-blox M10 GNSS in Starling 2 Max
Source - ON Semiconductor
Inbound - robotics sensors - Starling 2 Max integrates two onsemi AR0144 global-shutter sensors
Source - Sony Semiconductor Solutions
Inbound - Perception - ModalAI Starling 2 Max uses two Sony IMX412 image sensors in its C28 and C29 configurations
Source - TDK-InvenSense
Inbound - robotics sensors - ModalAI VOXL 2 incorporates a TDK ICP-10100 barometer
Source - Amprius Technologies
Inbound - Energy Storage - ModalAI specifies Amprius cells as the 55-minute battery configuration for Starling 2 Max
Source - iFlight
Inbound - Control Systems - ModalAI offers the iFlight Commando 8 transmitter in Starling 2 Max T8 controller kits
Source - Sony Semiconductor Solutions
Inbound - robotics sensors - ModalAI camera modules use named Sony IMX412 and IMX664 image sensors
Source - Orqa
Inbound - Communications - ModalAI offers the Orqa Ghost Atto receiver in the Starling 2 Max T9 radio configuration
Source - Infineon Technologies
Inbound - robotics sensors - ModalAI states its M0178 module uses the active Infineon IRS2975C ToF image sensor
Source - Molex
Inbound - electronics and robotics components - ModalAI M0178 carries a Molex 5052744012 connector; 5052704012 is the mating receptacle on its host adapter
Source - Teledyne FLIR
Inbound - robotics sensors - ModalAI lists the Teledyne FLIR Lepton as an optional Starling 2 thermal camera
Source - OmniVision Technologies
Inbound - robotics sensors - ModalAI lists current camera modules based on the OmniVision OV9782 global-shutter sensor
Source - STMicroelectronics
Inbound - robotics sensors - ModalAI states its M0189 module integrates the STMicroelectronics VL53L8CX ToF sensor
Source - Corvus Drones
Outbound - Compute & Control - ModalAI supplies the VOXL 2 AI autopilot used in Corvus Drones’ Corax greenhouse drone
Source - XTEND
Outbound - Compute & Control - ModalAI VOXL 2 autopilot technology is integrated into XTEND human-guided autonomous drone platforms
Source - Cleo Robotics
Outbound - Compute & Control - Cleo Robotics uses ModalAI VOXL compute for Dronut indoor-UAV autonomy
Source - Cleo Robotics
Outbound - Compute & Control - ModalAI supplies VOXL software and autonomy support used by Cleo Robotics for Dronut confined-space navigation
Source - Gather AI
Outbound - Finished Drones - Gather AI selected ModalAI Starling 2 Logis drones powered by VOXL 2 for warehouse inventory scanning
Source
Team
- Chad Sweet - Co-Founder and CEO - As co-founder and CEO, Sweet leads ModalAI’s development and commercialization of VOXL autopilots, embedded AI computing and professional drone platforms.
- Donald Hutson - Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer - As co-founder and CTO, Hutson leads technical development of ModalAI’s flight controllers, embedded computing and autonomous-drone architecture.
Timeline
Events
- 2025-08-12 - Regulatory - ModalAI Stinger and Seeker FPV drones added to Blue UAS Cleared List
ModalAI announced that Stinger Vision FPV, Seeker Vision FPV 5 inch and Seeker Vision FPV 7 inch Max were added to the DIU Blue UAS Cleared List. The designation covers complete government-approved unmanned aircraft systems, not only individual autonomy components. ModalAI also said additional VOXL-based framework components had been cleared for trusted small-UAS use.
Source - 2025-06-11 - Capability - ModalAI expands Blue UAS Framework with new NDAA-compliant components
The newly listed components include Flight Core v2, VOXL power hardware, radios, cameras and the MVX video system. ModalAI said the components passed cybersecurity and country-of-origin evaluation for trusted government UAS configurations. The company also presented Stinger Vision FPV as a complete aircraft assembled from Blue UAS Framework components.
Source - 2025-05-20 - Product Launch - ModalAI launches Stinger Vision FPV drone
The drone is built around ModalAI's VOXL 2 Mini autonomy stack. The platform targets GPS-denied indoor reconnaissance workflows. The product gives ModalAI a concrete offering for unmanned aircraft, air mobility or counter-drone operations.
Source - 2025-02-10 - Product Launch - Gather AI introduces Starling 2 Logis with ModalAI VOXL 2
ModalAI and Gather AI co-developed the US-made aircraft to augment Gather AI's existing DJI-based offering. Advertised scanning throughput reached up to 1,500 pallets per hour, compared with the previous average of 900. The configuration was designed for aisles as narrow as 4 feet 5 inches and adds dynamic obstacle avoidance and depth data for inventory analysis.
Source - 2023-07-19 - Product Launch - ModalAI launches VOXL 2 Starling development drone
Starling pairs the 16 g VOXL 2 autopilot with a ready-to-fly airframe and more than 30 minutes of stated flight time. The development platform includes visual-inertial odometry, obstacle avoidance, 3D mapping and path-planning software. ModalAI made Starling immediately available to developers building commercial autonomous-drone applications.
Source - 2023-07-12 - Partnership - XTEND and ModalAI integrate human-machine teaming for drones
XTEND’s XOS human-guided autonomy system became available on ModalAI technology, where it was fused with the VOXL 2 autonomous AI autopilot. The combined stack was intended for XTEND autonomous drone platforms including XTENDER, Wolverine and Griffon, extending human-machine teaming across those systems. Both companies were participants in the Defense Innovation Unit’s Blue UAS Framework, placing the collaboration within a U.S. vetted-uncrewed-systems programme.
Source - 2023-05-02 - Product Launch - ModalAI unveils 11 g VOXL 2 Mini AI autopilot
The 42 mm × 42 mm board reduces area by 30% compared with VOXL 2 while retaining the Qualcomm QRB5165 platform. VOXL 2 Mini integrates autonomy computing, flight control, communications support and power management. ModalAI made the module available to order at launch for small-drone and robotic-system developers.
Source - 2022-04-25 - Product Launch - ModalAI launches VOXL 2 Blue UAS Framework autopilot
VOXL 2 combines a Qualcomm QRB5165 processor with PX4 flight control and onboard AI processing. The board supports camera inputs, connectivity add-ons and ModalAI’s VOXL SDK for autonomous-system development. ModalAI positioned the U.S.-made module for small drones and other SWaP-constrained robotic systems.
Source - 2021-08-17 - Partnership - ModalAI becomes distributor for Qualcomm drone platform
The agreement covers Qualcomm’s 5G- and AI-enabled drone platform. ModalAI also distributes the associated reference design. The channel relationship expands developer access to the Qualcomm system.
Source - 2020-09-04 - Contract Award - ModalAI and AirMap receive U.S. DoD small-UAS industrial-base grant
The award supported U.S. small-unmanned-aircraft capabilities. ModalAI and AirMap were both named recipients. The grant supported domestic production and availability of small-UAS technology.
Source - 2020-07-13 - Contract Award - U.S. DoD invests $13.4 million in small-UAS industrial base
The funding was made under Defense Production Act Title III. The investment targeted domestic small unmanned-aircraft production capacity. The milestone is an industrial-base award, not a commercial customer order.
Source - 2020-03-25 - Product Launch - ModalAI launches single-board VOXL Flight development platform
The product integrates flight control and companion computing. Its single-board design targets small autonomous aircraft development. The launch positioned VOXL Flight as an open platform for custom autonomy software.
Source - 2019-05-14 - Commercial Order - Defense Innovation Unit awards ModalAI UAS contract
The contract funds development of next-generation unmanned-aircraft technology. ModalAI is the named UAS technology contractor. The award concerns development work rather than a completed aircraft delivery.
Source
Relations
Relationships
- XTEND
Technology Partner - ModalAI and XTEND partnered to combine XTEND XOS with ModalAI VOXL 2 autopilot across XTEND drone platforms.
- Doodle Labs
Radio Integration - Doodle Labs Smart Radios connect to ModalAI VOXL 2 through a supported integration.
- Defense Innovation Unit
Qualified Robotics Graph Fact - The Defense Innovation Unit awarded ModalAI a contract to develop next-generation UAS technology.
Context
Comparable profiles
- WOLF Advanced Technology
stack adjacency - Drone Compute
- NVIDIA
stack adjacency - Edge AI Compute Supplier · Edge AI Compute
- Huixi Intelligence
stack adjacency - Edge AI Compute Supplier · Edge AI Compute
- SiMa.ai
stack adjacency - Edge AI Compute Supplier · Edge AI Compute
- One Stop Systems
stack adjacency - Edge AI Compute Supplier · Edge AI Compute
- Acrab
stack adjacency - Edge AI Compute Supplier · Edge AI Compute
- D-Robotics
stack adjacency - Edge AI Compute Supplier
- ADLINK Technology
stack adjacency - Edge AI Compute Supplier
- Qualcomm
stack adjacency - Edge AI Compute Supplier
- Ambarella
stack adjacency - Edge AI Compute Supplier
- Intel
stack adjacency - Edge AI Compute Supplier
- Fuzhou Rockchip Electronics
stack adjacency - Edge AI Compute Supplier
Context tags
- Aerial robotics supply chain - Stack Layer - ModalAI's robotics role maps to the aerial robotics supply chain stack layer.
- Edge AI compute - Capability - Provides compute modules for drone AI and autonomy workloads
- Autonomous flight - Capability - VOXL SDK enables autonomous flight on drone platforms
- Drone compute - Stack Layer - Drone compute module and autonomy platform provider
- Edge AI and robotics compute layer - Stack Layer - Supplies compute modules and autonomy SDKs for drone platforms
- Component supply - Commercial Stage - Core business: compute modules and SDK licensing
- Factories - Customer Environment - Industrial inspection and facility monitoring environments
Commercial
- ModalAI and AirMap receive U.S. DoD small-UAS industrial-base grant
2020-09-04 · Order / contract · Dronecode members ModalAI and AirMap received a U.S. Department of Defense grant supporting the domestic small-UAS industrial base.
Source - U.S. DoD invests $13.4 million in small-UAS industrial base
2020-07-13 · Order / contract · The U.S. Department of Defense announced $13.4 million of Defense Production Act investments in the domestic small-UAS industrial base.
Source - Defense Innovation Unit awards ModalAI UAS contract
2019-05-14 · Order / contract · The Defense Innovation Unit awarded ModalAI a contract to develop next-generation UAS technology.
Source