Sunflower Labs, creator of the Beehive autonomous security drone system, today announced three major milestones that cement its leadership in aerial security: nationwide FAA approval to operate beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) across the United States, the launch of an interactive property configuration tool, and the close of a $16 million Series B funding round led by Sequoia Capital.
In the past year, Sunflower Labs more than doubled its customer base and increased the number of autonomous patrols tenfold—all while maintaining an exemplary FAA-reviewed safety record. By integrating advanced robotics and autonomy into security, Sunflower Labs is enabling faster response times, reducing reliance on guard labor, and setting a new benchmark for safety and compliance in the industry.
FAA nationwide approval: Approved to operate across 99% of the U.S.
Sunflower Labs worked closely with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to secure a performance-based Certificate of Waiver or Authorization, granting nationwide approval to operate the Beehive system within defined safety parameters. This authorization allows customers to legally operate BVLOS flights, fly over people and vehicles, and operate in low-visibility conditions—without requiring case-by-case approval.
The framework anticipates the FAA’s proposed Part 108 rules for routine BVLOS operations, ensuring Sunflower Labs and its customers are fully compliant today and prepared for tomorrow’s regulatory environment.
