Gravis Robotics
Gravis Robotics retrofits excavators and wheel loaders (10–100+ tons) with modular AI-powered autonomous control kits, selling hardware, software, and turnkey rentals to construction contractors, OEMs, and equipment rental firms across seven countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersZürich, Switzerland
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Gravis Robotics does
Gravis Robotics AG is a Zurich-based, ETH Zurich spinout founded in late 2022 that develops a modular autonomous earthmoving platform, retrofitting conventional excavators and wheel loaders (10 to 100+ tons) into self-driving machines. Its core product, the Gravis Rack, is a rooftop hardware kit integrating LiDAR, cameras, GNSS with RTK, hydraulic sensors, and automotive-grade edge computing, paired with the Gravis Slate tablet interface (tap-to-dig autonomy, Grade-Vis cut/fill visualization, remote orchestration) and the Gravis Copilot operator-assistance platform. The underlying control system is a proprietary learning-based AI that adapts in real time to ground conditions by fusing multi-sensor inputs, and the company has demonstrated remote machine operation from 300 km.
The company sells through a blended direct and channel model: direct enterprise sales to tier-1 contractors (Holcim, Taylor Woodrow, Morgan Sindall), OEM licensing/integration with Develon, Hitachi Construction Machinery, CNH, Yanmar, Sumitomo, and Menzi Muck, plus dealer and plant-hire distribution (Kibag in Switzerland, Flannery in the UK). Revenue streams include hardware sales of the Rack, recurring software components via Slate, turnkey rental packages, and OEM licensing. Gravis raised a $23 million Series A in November 2025 (IQ Capital and Zacua Ventures co-led) and operates across seven countries spanning UK, EU, US, LATAM, and Asia, having won CEMEX Ventures' 2025 Construction Startup Competition and a CONEXPO 2026 Next Level Award.
Gravis Robotics firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Gravis Robotics
- Legal name
- Gravis Robotics AG
- Website
- https://gravisrobotics.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2022
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Gravis Robotics retrofits excavators and wheel loaders (10–100+ tons) with modular AI-powered autonomous control kits, selling hardware, software, and turnkey rentals to construction contractors, OEMs, and equipment rental firms across seven countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Gravis Robotics industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Autonomous Construction Equipment
- NAICS
- Construction Machinery Manufacturing (333120), Agriculture, Construction, and Mining Machinery Manufacturing (3331), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)
- SIC
- Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equip (3530), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Construction & Mining Robotics (HDAAAIAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV) & Autonomous Land Platforms (IMABAIAD), Earthmoving & Excavation Equipment Rental/Leasing (TLABAFAA)
Keywords
Where Gravis Robotics is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Zürich
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Gravis Robotics business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales (Gravis Rack): Sale of the modular rooftop autonomous control kit that retrofits existing excavators and wheel loaders. The Rack can be purchased as a turnkey solution, enabling machines from 10-100+ tons to operate autonomously. Sold directly through dealers and OEM partner networks.
- Software Subscription (Slate): The Slate tablet interface provides autonomous control and augmented visual guidance. Likely includes subscription component for software updates, remote orchestration capabilities, and cloud-based features. The Copilot platform can be upgraded to full autonomy via software updates.
- Equipment Rental (Turnkey): Turnkey rental and purchase options providing Gravis-equipped machines through local dealers and rental providers. Partnership with Flannery (UK's largest plant hire provider) enables combined rental packages where construction customers can rent Gravis-equipped excavators without upfront capital purchase.
- OEM Licensing: Licensing and integration partnerships with major construction equipment OEMs including Develon, Hitachi, CNH, Yanmar, Sumitomo, and Menzi Muck AG. OEMs integrate Gravis technology into their equipment, creating recurring licensing revenue and expanding distribution through dealer networks.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Quote-based hardware and software pricing |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Gravis Robotics product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Gravis Robotics retrofits conventional excavators and wheel loaders (10 to 100+ tons) into autonomous earthmoving machines using a modular hardware kit (Gravis Rack) with LiDAR, cameras, GNSS, and edge computing, paired with a tablet software interface (Gravis Slate) and a machine-guidance platform (Gravis Copilot). The system uses a learning-based AI that fuses multi-sensor data to "feel the soil" and adapt to real ground conditions, enabling autonomous trenching, bulk excavation, truck loading, surveying, and remote operation up to 300 km away.
Product overview
Gravis Robotics offers a modular autonomous earthmoving platform consisting of the Gravis Rack hardware retrofit kit (compatible with excavators and wheel loaders from 10-100+ tons), the Gravis Slate tablet interface (providing in-cab copilot, field command, and remote orchestration), and the Gravis Copilot machine-guidance system. The architecture combines LiDAR, cameras, GNSS, and hydraulic sensing with a learning-based AI control system that 'feels the soil' to enable autonomous and augmented earthmoving operations. Products can be upgraded to full autonomy via software updates.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Gravis Rack A modular rooftop autonomous control kit that retrofits excavators and wheel loaders (10 to 100+ tons) with forward-facing camera, LiDAR, surround-view cameras, GNSS antennas with RTK accuracy, 3D LiDAR, hydraulic sensors, automotive-grade edge computing, and long-range WiFi in a rugged weather-tight enclosure, sold to construction contractors, OEMs, and rental providers.
- Gravis Slate A portable tablet interface providing autonomy control and augmented visual guidance with In-Cab Copilot mode (tap-to-dig autonomy with visual guidance), Field Command mode (real-time equipment direction with live site context), and Remote Orchestration mode (remote operation of one or more machines with low-latency augmented video streams), used by equipment operators and remote fleet managers on job sites.
- Gravis Copilot First commercially available autonomy-ready machine-guidance platform for excavator operators, combining real-time terrain visualization, excavation depth guidance, and human form recognition while keeping operators in control, upgradable to full autonomy via software updates, reporting productivity gains of up to 30% and annual savings of up to $74,000 per machine, sold to construction contractors and operators.
- Anywhere Autonomy Platform A platform enabling autonomous truck loading, tap-to-dig trenching, and remote excavator operation from up to 300 km away, integrated across multiple OEM brands, sold to construction contractors, quarry operators, and OEM partners for mixed-fleet autonomy deployments.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 30% productivity increase in earthmoving operations
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Gravis Robotics
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Gravis Robotics technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability7 records
Feature5 records
Gravis Robotics partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Hitachi Construction Machinery AmericascorePartnership for US market expansion at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026, showcasing Gravis systems on Hitachi equipment. Also partnered with Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) at Bauma 2025.
- DeveloncoreOEM integration partnership for Gravis autonomy on Develon excavators. Develon-integration deployed in UK market. Parent company HD Hyundai signed MOU with Gravis and Holcim for quarry automation.
- Taylor WoodrowcoreMajor customer partnership for autonomous excavation at Manchester Airport - the UK's first large-scale use of autonomous excavation on an active construction site for car park development.
- Morgan Sindall ConstructioncoreCustomer partnership deploying Gravis robotic excavators. Technical Director described working with Gravis as changing the industry's slow technology adoption reputation.
- FlannerycoreUK's largest plant hire provider partnership for combined rental packages providing Gravis-equipped excavators to construction customers through turnkey rental solution.
- KibagminorSwiss dealer partnership for Gravis-equipped equipment deployment through Kibag dealer network.
- CNHminorOEM partnership for autonomous loader integration demonstrated at Bauma 2025.
- YanmarminorOEM partnership for autonomous equipment integration demonstrated at Bauma 2025.
- SumitomominorOEM partnership for autonomous equipment integration demonstrated at Bauma 2025.
- Menzi Muck AGminorOEM partnership for walking excavator autonomy integration demonstrated at Bauma 2025.
- KTEG (Kiesel Technologie Entwicklung)minorJoint venture between Hitachi Construction Machinery and Kiesel for autonomous equipment integration.
- HD Hyundai Xitesolution / DEVELON EuropecoreMilestone MOU signed with Holcim and HD Hyundai Xitesolution covering HD Hyundai Infracore and DEVELON Europe brand for autonomous quarry operations.
- HolcimcoreStrategic customer partnership for autonomous quarry operations, with Holcim's Maqer Ventures also investing. Holcim operates autonomous excavation for site preparation, stockpile management, and loading trucks and screeners.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Gravis Robotics competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Volvo Construction Equipment: European heavy equipment OEM with active autonomous and electric construction equipment programs, including autonomous loaders and quarry dump trucks. Comparable OEM-level competitor in the same geography as Gravis.
- Trimble Inc. Provider of machine guidance, site positioning, and construction technology software (e.g., Trimble Earthworks). Competes with Gravis Copilot on machine-guidance and overlaps in OEM integration partnerships across heavy equipment.
- Caterpillar (Cat Command): Largest construction equipment OEM globally, with its own Cat Command remote control and autonomous solutions across dozers, excavators, and loaders. Represents both a competing autonomy offering and a potential OEM partner for Gravis.
- Komatsu (Smart Construction): Major Japanese construction OEM with a comprehensive Smart Construction portfolio including autonomous dozers, drones, and integrated site management. Competes with Gravis at the OEM level and in jobsite autonomy.
- Topcon Positioning Systems: Construction positioning and machine-control technology provider competing with Gravis Copilot in the operator-assist and machine-guidance layer. Sells through similar OEM and dealer channels.
- Hexagon (Leica Geosystems): Through Leica Geosystems and Hexagon's Geosystems division, offers machine control, site monitoring, and autonomous construction solutions. Competes with Gravis in survey and machine-guidance functionality.
Emerging players
- Pronto.ai: Autonomy company focused on off-road industrial vehicles (originally autonomous trucking, now expanding into construction and mining). Overlaps with Gravis in autonomous heavy-vehicle control stacks.
- Doosan Bobcat (Bobsight / Bobcat autonomous): Compact equipment OEM with emerging autonomy and remote-control initiatives across loaders and excavators. Adjacent competitor in the smaller-class earthmoving segment where Gravis also operates.
Direct peers
- Built Robotics: San Francisco-based autonomy startup retrofitting existing heavy equipment (excavators, dozers) into autonomous robots for construction. Most direct competitor to Gravis, sharing the retrofit business model and earthmoving focus.
- SafeAI: Autonomous heavy equipment company retrofitting mining and construction vehicles with AI-driven autonomy. Direct peer in the autonomous earthmoving space with similar OEM-partnership go-to-market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Gravis Robotics social profiles
Digital presenceGravis Robotics financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Gravis Robotics leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Gravis Robotics funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors9 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Gravis Robotics 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 Gravis Robotics
What does Gravis Robotics do?
Gravis Robotics retrofits conventional excavators and wheel loaders (10 to 100+ tons) into autonomous earthmoving machines using a modular hardware kit (Gravis Rack) with LiDAR, cameras, GNSS, and edge computing, paired with a tablet software interface (Gravis Slate) and a machine-guidance platform (Gravis Copilot). The system uses a learning-based AI that fuses multi-sensor data to "feel the soil" and adapt to real ground conditions, enabling autonomous trenching, bulk excavation, truck loading, surveying, and remote operation up to 300 km away.
Is Gravis Robotics a public or private company?
Gravis Robotics is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Gravis Robotics founded?
Gravis Robotics was founded in 2022. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Gravis Robotics based?
Gravis Robotics is headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does Gravis Robotics make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales (Gravis Rack) is the primary driver. The others are software Subscription (Slate), equipment Rental (Turnkey) and OEM Licensing.
Who are Gravis Robotics's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Volvo Construction Equipment, Trimble Inc., Caterpillar (Cat Command), Komatsu (Smart Construction), Topcon Positioning Systems and Hexagon (Leica Geosystems). Emerging players are Pronto.ai and Doosan Bobcat (Bobsight / Bobcat autonomous). Direct peers are Built Robotics and SafeAI.
Does Gravis Robotics have an API?
No public API is recorded for Gravis Robotics.
What industry is Gravis Robotics in?
Gravis Robotics's product category is Autonomous Construction Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAAAIAE, Construction & Mining Robotics, with a secondary code of IMABAIAD, Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV) & Autonomous Land Platforms. Its NAICS code is 333120 and its SIC code is 3530.