MIAMI — SkyfireAI, DBOX and Drone Nerds will combine drone infrastructure, mission-control software and integration expertise to develop autonomous drone operations for public safety and other mission-critical applications.
The companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) during the Lithuania-U.S. Business Forum in Miami, with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda in attendance. Drone Nerds, a subsidiary of XTI Aerospace, and XTI Aerospace brought the companies together for the collaboration.
The effort will bring together autonomous aircraft, docking infrastructure, mission-control software and multi-aircraft orchestration technologies in an integrated system for the U.S. market.
The companies plan to demonstrate the integrated system in the fourth quarter of 2026.
The collaboration addresses a shift toward remotely operated and increasingly autonomous drone fleets. These operations require more than an aircraft operating independently. Docking stations, mission-control software, airspace requirements, safety systems and regulatory approvals must work together to support remote and multi-aircraft missions.
“We saw an opportunity to bring together companies with complementary technologies and expertise to address where autonomous drone operations are headed,” said Dr. Linas Gelažanskas, CEO of UAB IT Logika, the Lithuanian technology company that developed DBOX. “This collaboration brings those capabilities together with a clear focus on integration, commercialization and real-world deployment in the U.S. market.”
Related: Drone Nerds adds DBOX autonomous drone docking system
Connecting autonomous drones, docks and mission-control software
SkyfireAI will provide mission-control software, autonomy and multi-aircraft orchestration technology. The company has experience supporting Drone as First Responder (DFR), Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) and remote drone operations in the United States.
DBOX will contribute its autonomous docking infrastructure, which supports remote drone operations for public safety, security and critical infrastructure applications.
XTI Aerospace and Drone Nerds will lead program integration, distribution and commercialization efforts in the United States. Their role will include connecting the combined system with customers and potential deployment opportunities.
“The next generation of autonomous response won’t be defined by a single drone or dock. It will be defined by how intelligently the entire system works together,” said Don Mathis, CEO of SkyfireAI. “XTI and Drone Nerds saw an opportunity to bring together companies with very different strengths around that vision. This collaboration combines the aircraft, infrastructure, intelligence and operational expertise needed to turn autonomy into something organizations can actually deploy and scale.”
The companies will initially focus on integration and testing, safety systems, regulatory approvals, operator training and commercialization. The MOU provides a framework for continued technical and commercial work toward potential U.S. deployments.
