Bedrock Robotics Secures $80 Million to Revolutionize Construction with Autonomous Vehicle Technology

Bedrock Robotics, an innovative startup specializing in autonomous vehicle technology and founded by former leaders from Waymo and Segment, is stepping into the spotlight with a significant funding boost of $80 million from notable investors Eclipse and 8VC.

The company is dedicated to creating a versatile self-driving kit designed to retrofit construction and various worksite vehicles, as detailed in their official announcement. This revelation aligns with insights shared by TechCrunch earlier this year. Bedrock is focused on “enhancing existing fleets with advanced sensors, computational systems, and intelligent capabilities that comprehend project objectives, adapt to evolving conditions, and operate continuously,” as noted by co-founder and CEO Boris Sofman in a recent blog post.

Boris Sofman, who previously spearheaded Waymo’s now-defunct self-driving truck initiative, is renowned for his role as the co-founder and CEO of Anki Robotics, famous for the beloved Cozmo robot which ceased operations in 2019. The founding team also includes Waymo alumni like Kevin Peterson (CTO), Ajay Gummalla (VP of Engineering), and Tom Eliaz (VP of Engineering), who has experience with Segment and Twilio.

While Bedrock has not yet provided further comments, TechCrunch will update its audience as soon as new information becomes available.

Bedrock is among the latest companies attracting skilled engineers in robotics, autonomy, and AI to the off-road sector. In recent years, numerous startups have emerged, aiming to implement self-driving technologies across various off-road applications, including construction, mining, industrial operations, and defense.

Just this week, Pronto, a San Francisco-based startup, announced its acquisition of rival SafeAI, which specializes in autonomous technology for haulage trucks and off-road vehicles utilized in construction and mining. Other notable players in the expansive off-road autonomy sector include Kodiak Robotics, Polymath Robotics, Seattle’s Overland AI, New Brunswick’s Potential, and established firms like Forterra.

Currently, Bedrock is concentrating on construction sites, actively testing its technology in Arkansas, Arizona, Texas, and California in collaboration with four major corporations: Sundt Construction, Zachry Construction Corporation, Champion Site Prep Inc., and Capitol Aggregates Inc.