Construction on autopilot: startup Bedrock has secured $80m to robotise machinery
Startup Bedrock Robotics has announced its intention to radically transform the construction industry by automating heavy machinery to work around the clock with a focus on safety and cost efficiency. The $80 million raised confirms the seriousness of their approach.
The first autonomous construction sites are expected to be available by the end of 2026.
Here's What We Know
A team of former Waymo and Segment engineers has launched a startup called Bedrock Robotics, which is developing a kit to convert construction equipment - excavators, bulldozers and loaders - into autonomous vehicles. Yesterday, the company announced it closed an $80 million funding round from Eclipse and 8VC, after a year of stealthy development.
Bedrock Operator, as their solution is called, allows sensors, computing modules and software to be installed on routine machinery, turning it into autonomous machines with centimetre accuracy. The focus is not on creating new machines, but on improving the efficiency and safety of those already working on construction sites.
Who's behind the project
Founded in 2024 with a team of former Waymo employees: CEO Boris Sofman, previously responsible for the unmanned truck project, CTO Kevin Peterson, VP of engineering Ajay Gummalla and Tom Eliaz. They are joined by Laurent Hautefeuille, previously in charge of Uber Freight, strengthening the operational and commercial side.
Where they are already testing
The technique with Bedrock Operator is being piloted at sites in California, Arizona, Texas and Arkansas with four companies: Sundt Construction, Zachry Construction, Champion Site Prep and Capitol Aggregates. The experience shows: the equipment functions day and night, completes tasks faster, reduces risk and helps take more orders.
Why it matters
A growing workforce crisis (the U.S. is short about 500,000 operators), a massive 40% retirement rate in the next ten years, and record infrastructure investment ($238 billion in 2024 in U.S. manufacturing alone) create the perfect backdrop for automation. Autonomous technology can close this gap, making construction faster, cheaper and safer.
Source: Bedrock Robotics
