Gravis Robotics Secures $23M Investment to Enhance Earthmoving AI

Gravis Robotics AG has successfully raised $23 million in its latest funding round to further develop its innovative autonomy kits designed for earthmoving vehicles. The investment was led by IQ Capital and Zacua Ventures, with participation from Pear VC, Imad, Sunna Ventures, Armada Investment, and Holcim.

The company’s flagship product, the Gravis Rack, is a hardware system that can be fitted to earthmoving equipment, such as excavators, to offer partial autonomy features. Operators can control these vehicles through a dedicated tablet known as Slate, which provides real-time data and video feeds.

Innovative Technology for Enhanced Precision

The Gravis Rack includes a flat, rectangular computing device mounted on the roof of the excavator. This device houses the artificial intelligence software, along with cameras and a lidar sensor. In addition, the system features rear vehicle masts equipped with further sensors and a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) module.

Gravis Robotics employs a technology called GNSS RTS to improve the accuracy of location data. This system enhances standard GPS measurements by analyzing radio signal information, allowing for precise positioning that can reach under an inch in accuracy. Additionally, the rear masts come with a Wi-Fi transmitter to facilitate data synchronization between the Gravis Rack and the Slate tablet.

Construction professionals can remotely operate earthmoving vehicles using the Slate, which displays real-time footage and overlays critical visual cues to help avoid underground infrastructure. The interface allows users to control the Gravis Rack with touch gestures or traditional joystick and pedal controls. According to Gravis, essential tasks, such as loading soil onto a dump truck, can be performed with just a few taps.

Global Reach and Future Expansion

Gravis Robotics emphasizes the transformative potential of its technology. According to Ryan Luke Johns, Chief Executive Officer, “By giving operators real-time 3D intelligence and the ability to shift seamlessly between autonomy and augmented control, we cover more of the work, accelerate adoption, and create the data pipeline needed to learn new capabilities from the industry’s hardest jobs.”

The company reports that its solutions have been embraced by clients across four continents, including HD Hyundai Co., recognized as the world’s largest shipbuilder. The recent funding will be utilized to expand Gravis’s international footprint and to forge additional partnerships with construction equipment manufacturers.

As the construction industry increasingly integrates artificial intelligence into operations, Gravis Robotics positions itself at the forefront of this technological evolution, promising enhanced efficiency and precision in earthmoving tasks.