Autonomy includes technologies that enable systems deployed across ground, air, maritime, and energy infrastructure environments to perceive, decide, and act with reduced or no human intervention. This includes smart grid integration, where electricity networks use advanced technologies to manage and optimize energy flow in real time, integrate renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, and support electric vehicle charging. Perkins Coie advises companies developing and deploying autonomous systems across transportation, uncrewed platforms, robotics, industrial automation, connected products, and energy systems. We frequently represent technology developers, manufacturers, utilities, and energy companies on product development, regulatory strategy, commercial agreements, IP, privacy, cybersecurity, litigation, and related issues as autonomous systems move from testing to commercial deployment, including cost recovery for smart grid investments. 

Ground Autonomous Systems 

Perkins Coie advises companies across the ground autonomous systems ecosystem, including autonomous cars and trucks, construction and agricultural equipment, and other off-road and industrial applications. As autonomous and assisted-driving technologies continue to develop, they are reshaping personal transportation, freight movement, logistics, construction, farming, and fleet operations. We advise clients including original equipment and automotive manufacturers, AI, sensor, mapping, connectivity, and software providers across a range of issues, including IP, privacy, communications, and product liability. 

Air Autonomous Systems 

Perkins Coie provides leading-edge guidance to companies in the aerospace industry. Our experience enables us to offer an exceptional level of service and knowledge to our clients in the uncrewed aerial vehicle space. 

As governmental and commercial applications of uncrewed aerial vehicles continue to develop, we help clients understand the business and regulatory challenges they face. Our work includes monitoring regulatory and technological developments and actively participating in industry organizations.   

Maritime Autonomous Systems 

Autonomous and uncrewed shipping technologies have the potential to make greener, safer, and more cost-effective ships while also creating new tech and manufacturing jobs. The development of uncrewed submersibles now allows exploration at depths previously unattainable by divers or larger crewed vessels. 

These advancements present numerous potential legal and regulatory challenges, both domestically and internationally. Our team delivers practical and creative solutions to these challenges.

Robotics technologies, including autonomous and semi-autonomous systems such as autonomous mobile robots, humanoid robotics, automated guided vehicles, and industrial articulated robots, are increasingly deployed in environments that demand precision, consistency, and scale across logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, infrastructure, defense, and other sectors. Often incorporating AI, sensing, and automation technologies, these systems raise a complex set of legal issues tied to product development, commercialization, liability, data use, cybersecurity, and regulation. Perkins Coie helps robotics companies and investors address those issues across the product lifecycle. 

Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) and Humanoid Robotics 

Perkins Coie advises companies developing and deploying autonomous mobile robots and humanoid robotics across logistics, manufacturing, health care, retail, hospitality, agriculture, and other sectors. These systems rely on AI, sensing, machine vision, and onboard processing to navigate dynamic environments and perform increasingly sophisticated tasks with limited human input. We help clients address IP, regulatory, commercial, privacy, cybersecurity, product liability, and deployment issues as these technologies move from development to commercial adoption. 

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)

Perkins Coie advises companies working with automated guided vehicles used in warehouses, distribution centers, manufacturing facilities, and other controlled environments. Because AGVs often operate on predefined routes and integrate closely with facility systems, they raise legal and operational issues involving contracting, workplace safety, liability, data use, and regulatory compliance. We help clients address those issues as AGV technologies are implemented and scaled. 

Industrial Articular Robots 

Perkins Coie advises companies developing and deploying industrial articulated robots used in manufacturing, assembly, welding, packaging, machine tending, inspection, and material handling. These systems play a central role in industrial automation and raise a range of legal issues involving IP, commercial agreements, workplace integration, safety, cybersecurity, product liability, and disputes. We help clients address those issues across the product lifecycle

Mobility spans the technologies, services, and infrastructure that move people and goods. Perkins Coie advises companies across the mobility ecosystem, including connected and software-defined vehicles, fleet and logistics platforms, micromobility, delivery systems, and related digital infrastructure. We help clients address regulatory, commercial, IP, privacy, cybersecurity, and disputes issues that arise as mobility business models evolve and scale.