The California-based start-up is targeting the mining and construction industries. PHOTO: Getty Images/Bim
A U.S.-based autonomous equipment company has added Canada to its driverless trajectory.
SafeAI, which recently raised US$21 million in its Series A funding round, said earlier this month it plans to enter the Canadian market as a “natural next step” for its business.
The start-up is working to automate heavy equipment in both the construction and mining industries. It has developed retrofit kits for conventional trucks, dozers and wheel loaders that rely on a suite of sensors and accompanying software.
“We believe autonomy has the power to create smarter, safer, more productive heavy industry,” Bibhrajit Halder, SafeAI’s founder and CEO, said in a release. “With flourishing construction and mining sectors, Canada is a natural fit for our business.”
To lead to company’s Canadian expansion, it has added David Prusinski as chief revenue officer. Prusinski has more than two decades of experience at several Canadian technology and connected vehicle solutions firms.
Automated technology has been creeping into the construction industry for more than a decade and is seen as a potential boon for productivity and a solution to the labour shortage. Insiders are seeing slow and steady progress, but say full autonomy remains several years away.
