Pronto.ai Acquires Autonomous Rival SafeAI in Off-Road Tech Move
▼ Summary
– Pronto.ai, a San Francisco-based startup specializing in self-driving systems for off-road vehicles, has acquired competitor Safe AI to expand its talent and technology.
– The acquisition brings Safe AI’s 12-person engineering team and intellectual property to Pronto, with the deal valued in “the millions.”
– Pronto uses AI, sensors, and Pollen Mobile (a peer-to-peer data network) to autonomously operate haul trucks, especially in areas with poor connectivity.
– The acquisition will help Pronto scale internationally, serve more customers, and offer a tiered technology portfolio, including Safe AI’s multi-sensor approach and ASIL D-certified safety framework.
– Pronto has partnerships with major companies like Heidelberg Materials and Komatsu, deploying autonomous trucks in projects such as Texas’ Bridgeport Quarry and expanding operations in Brazil.
The autonomous vehicle sector for off-road industrial applications just got more competitive as Pronto.ai strengthens its position through the acquisition of rival SafeAI. This strategic move brings together two key players in autonomous haulage systems, combining their distinct technological approaches to serve mining and construction operations worldwide.
Pronto.ai, the San Francisco startup specializing in self-driving systems for heavy-duty trucks at industrial sites, has absorbed SafeAI’s engineering talent and intellectual property. While financial specifics remain undisclosed, sources indicate the deal was valued in the millions. CEO Anthony Levandowski emphasized the acquisition as a way to consolidate expertise and accelerate growth, stating that merging resources allows the company to focus on scaling operations more efficiently.
Founded in 2018, Pronto has developed an AI-driven autonomous system relying primarily on cameras and sensors, integrated into vehicles like Komatsu haul trucks. The company also leverages Pollen Mobile, its proprietary peer-to-peer data network, ensuring high-speed connectivity in remote locations with limited infrastructure. This technology has already proven successful in pilot programs, including a partnership with Heidelberg Materials North America, where autonomous trucks operate at a Texas quarry.
SafeAI, established in 2017, took a different route by incorporating lidar, radar, and multi-sensor arrays into its autonomous solutions. Its safety framework holds ASIL D certification, the industry’s highest safety standard. By integrating SafeAI’s technology, Pronto can now offer clients a tiered portfolio, catering to both cost-conscious operations preferring camera-only systems and large-scale mines requiring advanced sensor redundancy.
The acquisition also supports Pronto’s international expansion, particularly in Brazil, where it recently announced plans to deploy over 100 autonomous trucks. With SafeAI’s team onboard, Pronto’s workforce grows to roughly 50 employees, still lean but now better equipped to handle diverse customer demands, from small quarries to massive mining operations.
This consolidation highlights the increasing competition in off-road autonomy, where efficiency and safety are paramount. By merging complementary technologies, Pronto aims to solidify its leadership in a niche yet rapidly evolving market.
(Source: TechCrunch)
