Gravis Robotics announced a $200 million Series A investment from SoftBank, described as the largest Series A funding round in construction robotics history. The company plans to use the funding to expand its autonomous heavy-machinery technology and address labor shortages that are slowing construction and infrastructure projects worldwide.
Founded in 2022 as a spinout of ETH Zurich, Gravis develops AI software that allows heavy construction equipment such as excavators to operate autonomously. Its technology uses simulated training and machine data to help robots handle unpredictable conditions such as changing soil, rocks, and other challenges found on real construction sites.
The company’s Gravis Rack can be installed on equipment from multiple manufacturers, allowing contractors to automate mixed fleets rather than being locked into one brand. Its systems can provide operator assistance through real-time guidance and hazard detection or enable fully autonomous operation, with the company reporting productivity improvements of up to 30% compared with peak manual operation.
Gravis says its technology is already deployed across four continents and will use the new funding to accelerate its global rollout. The company is also leading an $8 million UK government-backed project with Flannery Plant Hire to retrofit excavators with autonomous systems, aiming to expand access to robotic construction equipment as demand for infrastructure continues to grow.
