GPR
GPR develops Ground Positioning Radar systems that use ground-penetrating radar and subsurface mapping to deliver centimeter-level vehicle localization independent of GPS and weather. The company sells hardware and software to automotive OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, seaport operators, mining firms, and defense integrators.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersSomerville, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What GPR does
GPR (formerly WaveSense) is a Charlestown, Massachusetts-based technology company that develops Ground Positioning Radar (GPR) systems for autonomous vehicle localization. The company's core technology uses ultra-wideband ground-penetrating radar operating at approximately 300 MHz to image 2-3 meters below the road surface, creating stable subsurface "fingerprints" of soil layers, rock formations, and buried infrastructure. These fingerprints enable centimeter-level vehicle positioning (within 5 cm RMS) that is independent of GPS, weather, surface conditions, and lane markings, addressing a primary failure mode of camera-, LiDAR-, and GNSS-based ADAS systems. GPR's commercial offering is the WaveSense platform, which integrates three components: GroundSense (the radar sensor hardware), NavSense (proprietary localization software with real-time matching algorithms), and MapSense (a mapping suite for HD subsurface map creation and fleet-wide data sharing).
GPR operates a hardware-plus-software business model, selling GroundSense as a one-time hardware purchase with annual recurring software maintenance for NavSense, supplemented by technology licensing to OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers. The company targets automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers for ADAS and autonomous driving applications, seaports (container terminals, terminal tractors), mining and quarry operations, freight and logistics, autonomous shuttles, and construction equipment. Distribution combines direct enterprise sales with a channel/reseller network, and the company pursues a vertical segmentation strategy across nine industry pages on its website. GPR traces its origin to MIT Lincoln Laboratory ground-penetrating radar technology patented in 2012; WaveSense was formally founded in September 2017, rebranded to GPR in September 2021, shipped first commercial units in August 2023, and was acquired by BTG Positioning Systems (a Hexagon portfolio company) in September 2025 to integrate radar-based positioning into container-terminal automation.
GPR firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- GPR
- Legal name
- GPR, Inc.
- Website
- https://gpr.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- GPR develops Ground Positioning Radar systems that use ground-penetrating radar and subsurface mapping to deliver centimeter-level vehicle localization independent of GPS and weather. The company sells hardware and software to automotive OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, seaport operators, mining firms, and defense integrators.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
GPR industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Autonomous Vehicle Localization Technology
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- HD Maps & Localization for Autonomous/ADAS (BPAMANAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Mapping & Basemap Platforms (Tiles/SDKs) (BPAMANAB)
Keywords
Where GPR is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Somerville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
GPR business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- GroundSense Hardware Sales: GroundSense sensor is sold as a one-time purchase enabling continuous operation. The hardware can be configured with variations including height and length dimensions, integrated or external CPU, and mechanical configurations for different vehicle applications.
- NavSense Software (Annual Maintenance): NavSense localization software includes a yearly maintenance fee covering bug fixes, security patches, and algorithmic OTA updates. The software cannot be purchased separately from GroundSense as they work in tandem.
- Technology Licensing and Integration: GPR licenses its technology to OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers for integration into autonomous vehicle systems and ADAS platforms, enabling automaker partners to deliver enhanced safety and positioning capabilities.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | GroundSense Sensor - One-time purchase |
| Subscription | Annual | NavSense Software - Annual subscription |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
GPR product offering
Product offeringCore offering
GPR sells a Ground Positioning Radar-based vehicle localization system that captures unique subsurface terrain fingerprints using ground-penetrating radar. The core commercial offering is the WaveSense platform, which combines the GroundSense radar sensor (hardware, sold as a one-time purchase), the NavSense real-time localization software (annual maintenance/subscription), and the MapSense HD subsurface mapping suite. Customers are primarily automotive OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and operators of automated industrial fleets requiring centimeter-accurate positioning independent of GPS, weather, and lane markings.
Product overview
GPR offers a unified Ground Positioning Radar technology platform for autonomous vehicle localization. The core product is the GPR Ground Positioning Radar system, which operates through the integrated WaveSense platform comprising three interconnected modules: GroundSense (the hardware radar sensor that captures subsurface data), NavSense (the localization software that performs real-time matching), and MapSense (the mapping suite that creates high-definition subsurface maps). These components work in tandem to deliver all-weather, all-environment vehicle positioning that is independent of GPS, lane markings, and surface conditions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- WaveSense: A comprehensive positioning and mapping technology solution comprising GroundSense (sensor), NavSense (localization software), and MapSense (mapping suite). WaveSense enables all-weather, all-environments mapping and positioning for autonomous vehicles.
Products and services
- GPR Ground Positioning Radar Ground Positioning Radar (GPR) is GPR's core technology platform that uses ground penetrating radar to capture unique, stable subterranean data for autonomous vehicle positioning. It enables centimeter-level vehicle localization in adverse weather, GPS-denied areas, and roads with poor or no lane markings.
- WaveSense WaveSense is the integrated localization platform combining the GroundSense sensor, NavSense localization software, and MapSense mapping suite to provide all-weather, all-environment mapping and positioning for autonomous vehicles using ground penetrating radar.
- GroundSense Sensor GroundSense is the radar sensor hardware component of the WaveSense system. It mounts on the vehicle undercarriage and emits low-frequency radio waves 2-3 meters into the ground to capture subsurface data, generating unique terrain fingerprints for vehicle localization. Sold as a one-time purchase with configurable height, length, CPU integration, and mechanical configurations.
- NavSense Localization Software NavSense is the proprietary localization software that uses advanced matching algorithms to compare real-time GroundSense subsurface scans against pre-recorded maps and outputs vehicle position in real time with within 5 cm RMS accuracy, even in weak GPS areas or roads lacking clear lane markings. Sold with annual maintenance covering bug fixes, security patches, and OTA algorithmic updates; cannot be purchased without GroundSense.
- MapSense Mapping Suite MapSense is the mapping suite that transforms subsurface radar data into high-definition maps. It enables positioning maps on a grid for localization with NavSense, allows fleet-wide data sharing, automated crowd-sourced map updates, and map expansion across all vehicles in a fleet.
Quantifiable outcome
- Achieves 2 centimeter positioning accuracy, operating independently of GPS or external networks
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use GPR
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
GPR technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature6 records
GPR partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered significant, core and minor.
- Rheinmetall ProvectussignificantStrategic collaboration announced in June 2024 for WaveSense Localization System integration, targeting defense and military applications.
- Borealis PrecisioncoreBorealis Precision signed as GPR's first official reseller in May 2024 to expand market reach and distribution of positioning technology for autonomy applications.
- BTG Positioning SystemscorePartnership formed in February 2024 to supply advanced positioning technology for automated ports. BTG acquired GPR in September 2025 to integrate radar-based positioning technology for container terminal automation.
- Hexagon | NovAtelsignificantStrategic collaboration for Hexagon to enhance its sensor fusion technology for superior positioning through integration with GPR's Ground Positioning Radar technology.
- Empowered Educational ProgramminorCollaboration to explore the future of transportation and autonomous vehicles, focusing on educational outreach and industry research.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
GPR competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Aptiv: Aptiv is a global Tier 1 automotive technology supplier offering ADAS, advanced sensor fusion, and autonomous driving platforms. Comparable to GPR as a Tier 1 supplier and integration partner for OEM ADAS deployments, though Aptiv's portfolio centers on cameras, radar, and LiDAR rather than subsurface positioning.
- Trimble: Trimble provides positioning, navigation, and mapping technologies across construction, agriculture, automotive, and geospatial markets. Comparable as a broad incumbent in high-precision positioning with overlapping automotive and industrial autonomy customers, though using GNSS rather than GPR technology.
- Mobileye: Mobileye provides vision-based ADAS and autonomous driving solutions to global OEMs. Comparable to GPR as a sensor/perception supplier to automotive OEMs targeting ADAS and AV, though Mobileye relies on camera-based perception and crowdsourced mapping rather than ground-penetrating radar.
- Hexagon | NovAtel: NovAtel (a Hexagon company) is GPR's sensor fusion partner and ultimate corporate sibling post-BTG acquisition. It manufactures high-precision GNSS receivers and inertial navigation systems for autonomous vehicles, aerospace, and marine—overlapping with GPR's positioning market but with a much broader portfolio of established GNSS-based solutions.
Direct peers
- OxTS (Oxford Technical Solutions): OxTS manufactures inertial navigation systems and GNSS-aided INS for vehicle testing, ADAS development, and autonomous vehicle prototyping. Comparable to GPR as a positioning technology provider for autonomy customers, particularly in GNSS-denied or challenging conditions.
- U-Blox: U-Blox develops GNSS positioning modules and chipsets for automotive, industrial, and consumer markets. Comparable to GPR in targeting positioning for autonomy and ADAS, but uses satellite-based positioning rather than subsurface radar.
- Swift Navigation: Swift Navigation provides centimeter-accurate GNSS positioning solutions for autonomous vehicles, ADAS, and industrial applications. Directly comparable to GPR as both target precise localization for AV/ADAS with a focus on reliability in challenging environments, though Swift relies on GNSS-RTK while GPR uses subsurface radar.
- HERE Technologies: HERE builds HD maps and location services for ADAS and autonomous driving. Comparable to GPR in serving the HD map layer for AV localization, though HERE uses surface-based map data (lanes, signs, landmarks) versus GPR's subsurface map approach.
Emerging players
- Arbe Robotics: Arbe develops 4D imaging radar chipsets for automotive ADAS and autonomous vehicles. Comparable to GPR as an emerging radar-based perception/localization player for AV applications, though Arbe focuses on above-ground imaging radar while GPR uses subsurface radar.
- Ouster (Velodyne): Ouster (which merged with Velodyne in 2023) provides LiDAR sensors for automotive ADAS, robotics, and industrial automation. Comparable to GPR as a sensor provider targeting AV localization and perception, though using LiDAR rather than ground-penetrating radar.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
GPR social profiles
Digital presenceGPR financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
GPR leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
GPR funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds6 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
GPR M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about GPR
What does GPR do?
GPR sells a Ground Positioning Radar-based vehicle localization system that captures unique subsurface terrain fingerprints using ground-penetrating radar. The core commercial offering is the WaveSense platform, which combines the GroundSense radar sensor (hardware, sold as a one-time purchase), the NavSense real-time localization software (annual maintenance/subscription), and the MapSense HD subsurface mapping suite. Customers are primarily automotive OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and operators of automated industrial fleets requiring centimeter-accurate positioning independent of GPS, weather, and lane markings.
Is GPR a public or private company?
GPR is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was GPR founded?
GPR was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is GPR based?
GPR is headquartered in Somerville, United States, in the North America region.
How does GPR make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. GroundSense Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are navSense Software (Annual Maintenance) and technology Licensing and Integration.
Who are GPR's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Aptiv, Trimble, Mobileye and Hexagon | NovAtel. Direct peers are OxTS (Oxford Technical Solutions), U-Blox, Swift Navigation and HERE Technologies. Emerging players are Arbe Robotics and Ouster (Velodyne).
Does GPR have an API?
No public API is recorded for GPR.
What industry is GPR in?
GPR's product category is Autonomous Vehicle Localization Technology. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAMANAL, HD Maps & Localization for Autonomous/ADAS, with a secondary code of BPAMANAB, Mapping & Basemap Platforms (Tiles/SDKs). Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3812.