Gravis Robotics has raised $23M (£17m) to bring its autonomous earthmoving technology to the UK US, and EU.
Gravis’s technology transforms construction machinery with AI, cameras and sensors so it can operate autonomously or assist human operators.
The company claims it could help boost site productivity by 30% and help address the industry’s productivity crisis.
Gravis has already secured deals with Holcim, Taylor Woodrow, HD Hyundai, and its technology is being used in seven countries across UK, US, EU, LATAM and Asia.
Morgan Sindall Construction technical director, Steffan Speer, said: “Construction faces major challenges, from attracting and retaining a skilled workforce to improving productivity.
“The industry has often been seen as slow to adopt new technologies. Working with Gravis Robotics, we’re changing that.”
CEO and co-founder of Gravis Robotics, Ryan Luke Johns, said: “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.”
Gravis in action
Gravis Robotics broke ground at a Taylor Woodrow infrastructure project at Manchester Airport. This was the UK’s first large-scale use of autonomous excavation on an active site.
Its systems are being used in the autonomous handling of quarry materials with Holcim and other firms, including for preparation, stockpile management and the loading of trucks and screeners.
Gravis is also partnering with plant hire provider Flannery to provide a combined rental package for construction customers, enabling a turnkey excavator solution.
This latest round of funding was co-led by IQ Capital and Zacua Ventures, with Pear VC, Imad (CVC of Nesma & Partners), Sunna Ventures, Armada Investment and Holcim.
The funding will be used to support Gravis’s global roll-out, grow its team and expand its partnership networks with OEMs, contractors and dealers.
