Gravis Robotics, a Swiss deep-tech startup developing autonomous systems for construction and earthmoving machinery, announced it has raised approximately €19.9 million (USD 23 million) in a funding round aimed at accelerating global deployment of its robotics-as-a-service offering, according to multiple industry reports.
The Series A round was co-led by UK-based venture firm IQ Capital and Zacua Ventures, with participation from Pear VC, Imad (the corporate venture arm of Nesma & Partners), Sunna Ventures, Armada Investment AG and building materials giant Holcim, industry sources said.
Gravis Robotics, founded in 2022 as a spin-out from ETH Zurich, develops retrofit autonomy kits that enable conventional construction machines to operate with robotic autonomy. The technology integrates sensors, AI-driven perception systems and control software to deliver autonomous and augmented operation of excavators and other earthmoving equipment.
Chief Executive Officer and co-founder Ryan Luke Johns said the company’s approach aims to address chronic labour shortages and productivity challenges in construction by providing systems that boost output and safety while fitting into existing jobsite workflows. Gravis systems have been deployed on live projects, including autonomous excavation at Manchester Airport in the UK, and are in use across seven countries spanning the UK, EU, United States, Latin America and Asia.
The capital will be used to expand Gravis’s industry partnerships with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), contractors and dealers, grow its workforce, and scale deployment of its autonomous platforms in new markets, reports said.
Investors view the company’s “construction-robots-as-a-service” model—which combines hardware retrofit capability with ongoing support and service contracts—as a key driver in bringing autonomous heavy equipment into mainstream construction operations.
The funding comes amid broader European interest in robotics and automation, with several startups securing capital to advance field-ready robotic systems in construction, industrial and infrastructure sectors.
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