The Swiss startup, a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, specializes in AI-powered systems that transform heavy excavators into self-operating machinery.
This investment marks the largest-ever initial funding round for a construction robotics company, specifically targeting the transformation of traditional excavators into intelligent, software-defined equipment.
The technology addresses a critical bottleneck in physical infrastructure expansion, where labor shortages and an aging workforce often delay projects like housing, transit networks, and power grids.
Unlike autonomous vehicles that navigate static environments, Gravis’s systems are designed to interact with and reshape terrain.
By training AI models in simulated environments to replicate the tactile feedback human operators use—such as engine vibrations and hydraulic resistance—the company claims its technology can increase digging productivity by 30% compared to manual operation.
The core product, called the Gravis Rack, is a computing appliance that can be retrofitted onto existing machinery from major manufacturers like Caterpillar and John Deere.
This hardware suite includes cameras, lidar sensors, and high-precision GPS technology capable of sub-inch accuracy to manage subterranean risks.
While the system allows for fully autonomous work, it also functions as a "copilot" via a companion tablet, which provides remote operators with real-time visual overlays of underground hazards like water pipes.
Following a recent $8 million contract in the U.K., the company intends to use the new capital to expand its global fleet installations.