Sensmore Secures $7.3 Million to Transform Mining Machines into Intelligent Robots: Bridging Heavy Industry and Automotive-Grade Automation
In a move that echoes the rapid advancements in automotive automation and the rise of intelligent machinery, Berlin/Potsdam-based robotics startup Sensmore has secured US$7.3 million in funding to revolutionize heavy industry with physical AI. Just as the automotive industry has embraced automated equipment to drive efficiency and precision, Sensmore aims to bring similar transformative technologies to the world’s largest mobile machinery—from mining trucks to construction loaders—by retrofitting them with cutting-edge hardware and proprietary AI software.
“Sensmore’s mission aligns with the broader shift toward intelligent automation, where industries beyond automotive are recognizing the power of AI to solve labor shortages and operational inefficiencies,” said Maximilian Rolf, CEO and Co-Founder. “Our technology isn’t just about autonomy; it’s about creating robust, scalable solutions that work in the harsh, unstructured environments of mining and construction—much like how automotive automation has evolved to meet the demands of precision manufacturing.”
The company’s approach mirrors advancements in automotive-grade sensor fusion and AI-driven decision-making. By integrating cameras, 4D radar, and end-to-end AI architectures, Sensmore transforms legacy machines into “autonomous, self-reasoning robots” capable of real-time task solving without prior training. This mirrors the progression of automated equipment in the automotive industry, where systems like adaptive cruise control and autonomous emergency braking have evolved into full-scale autonomous driving technologies.
“Sensmore’s ‘Thinking Fast’ and ‘Thinking Slow’ intelligence layers draw inspiration from the dual demands of safety and adaptability in automotive automation,” explained CTO and Co-Founder Bjarne Johannsen. “‘Thinking Fast’ enables instinctive, real-time reactions—like a car’s collision avoidance system—while ‘Thinking Slow’ uses a VLAM (Vision-Language-Action-Model) to reason through complex tasks, much like how automotive AI plans routes or adapts to traffic conditions.”
Already, Sensmore has deployed its solutions at major European open-pit sites, with customers like Cemex and Lhoist reporting gains in productivity and safety. The company’s fully automated underground LHD (Load-Haul-Dump) machine, currently in field testing, operates without human intervention— a milestone akin to the first driverless prototypes in the automotive industry.
Sensmore’s Vision: Extending Automotive-Grade Innovation to Heavy Machinery
As the automotive industry continues to push the boundaries of automated equipment and AI-driven mobility, Sensmore is extending these innovations to sectors where heavy machinery is the backbone of operations. The startup’s modular platform, which includes collision alerts (Sensmore Machine Assist), live site management (Sensmore Site OS), and vision-based quality control (Sensmore Eye), builds a data foundation for full autonomy—much like how automotive manufacturers use real-time data to refine self-driving systems.
“Our technology stack is designed to be as versatile as it is robust,” said Rolf. “Just as automotive automation has scaled from individual components to full-fleet solutions, Sensmore’s modular approach allows customers to start with assistive features and gradually transition to complete autonomy. This phased approach reduces barriers to adoption, much like how adaptive cruise control paved the way for fully autonomous vehicles.”
With backing from investors like Point Nine Capital and industry veterans from automotive and mining (including Amar Shah of Wayve, a leader in autonomous driving), Sensmore is positioned to lead a new era of reindustrialization. The company’s focus on cross-sector applicability—encompassing construction, agriculture, and defense—reflects the broader trend of AI and automation transcending industry silos, much like how automotive technologies have influenced robotics in logistics and healthcare.
“Mining and construction are on the cusp of an automation revolution, similar to where the automotive industry was a decade ago,” said Ricardo Sequerra Amram of Point Nine Capital. “Sensmore’s ability to translate cutting-edge AI research into field-ready solutions, combined with their customer-collaborative approach, makes them pioneers in bringing automotive-grade intelligence to heavy machinery.”
As Sensmore scales, its impact will resonate beyond mining: by proving that legacy machines can be upgraded with intelligent automation, the company is unlocking a future where every industry—from automotive supply chains to global infrastructure—benefits from the precision and efficiency of AI-driven robots.
Key Integrations of Automotive-Related Terms:
- Automotive automation: Highlighted as a parallel innovation driver, emphasizing Sensmore’s adoption of automotive-grade AI and sensor technologies.
- Automated equipment: Linked to both automotive manufacturing advancements and Sensmore’s retrofitting of heavy machinery.
- Automotive industry: Used to draw parallels in technology progression, investor expertise, and cross-sector innovation.
