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Boeing buys Aurora, maker of autonomous robotic aircraft

Are self-driving commercial planes in our near future?

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Roger Cheng (he/him/his) was the executive editor in charge of CNET News, managing everything from daily breaking news to in-depth investigative packages. Prior to this, he was on the telecommunications beat and wrote for Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal for nearly a decade and got his start writing and laying out pages at a local paper in Southern California. He's a devoted Trojan alum and thinks sleep is the perfect -- if unattainable -- hobby for a parent.
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Boeing is looking to bulk up its autonomous technology. 

 Aurora Flight Sciences

Boeing is dipping its toes in the drone business. 

The airplane maker said on Friday that it's acquiring Aurora Flight Sciences, which develops autonomous systems and robotic aircrafts. 

Aurora will give Boeing a shot in the arm when it comes to developing autonomous technology for aerospace vehicles. The company already has a portfolio of autonomous aircrafts and has worked with the military on vehicles that specialize in vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL). 

Boeing is the latest company to dabble in autonomous vehicles. Others include Uber and Google with cars, and Facebook with cellular signal-providing aircrafts. 

Terms of the deal were not provided. Aurora, based in Manassas, Virginia, will operate as an independent unit once the deal is closed.