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Flywheel AI: AI & robotics for excavators. Teleoperation retrofit kits & software boost safety & productivity for construction contractors.
Key people at Flywheel AI.
Flywheel AI was founded in 2023 by Jash Mota (Founder/CEO) and Mahimana Bhatt (Founder).
Based in San Francisco, California, Flywheel AI develops retrofit hardware kits and software platforms that enable construction contractors to operate existing excavators remotely via teleoperation. The company's system streams multi-camera video and telemetry to a web interface, allowing a single operator to manage multiple sites while recording operational data to train future autonomous digging models. Operating with a team of two employees, the business monetizes through hardware sales priced at $20,000 per unit alongside annual software subscriptions of $6,000. Backed by lead investor Y Combinator and partner Ankit Gupta, the firm targets an estimated market of 100,000 machines across North America and Europe. The organization recently released a public dataset containing roughly 100 hours of multi-camera and joystick data collected from active sites. Flywheel AI was founded in 2023 by Mahimana Bhatt and Jash Mota.
Key people at Flywheel AI.
Flywheel AI was founded in 2023 by Jash Mota (Founder/CEO) and Mahimana Bhatt (Founder).
Flywheel AI, often described as the "Waymo for excavators" in the construction automation space, is a company developing autonomous technology specifically tailored for heavy machinery like excavators. Its mission is to revolutionize construction and earthmoving by enabling autonomous operation of excavators, improving safety, efficiency, and productivity on job sites. Flywheel AI builds advanced AI-driven control systems that allow excavators to perform complex digging and material handling tasks autonomously or with minimal human intervention. The company primarily serves construction firms, contractors, and equipment operators who face challenges such as labor shortages, safety risks, and operational inefficiencies. Flywheel AI addresses these problems by automating repetitive and hazardous tasks, reducing downtime, and optimizing machine utilization. The company is gaining growth momentum as the construction industry increasingly adopts automation technologies to meet rising demand and labor constraints.
Flywheel AI was founded by a team of engineers and AI experts with backgrounds in robotics, autonomous vehicles, and construction technology. The idea emerged from recognizing the parallels between autonomous driving technology (like Waymo’s self-driving cars) and the potential to apply similar AI and sensor fusion techniques to heavy equipment. Early traction came from pilot projects demonstrating autonomous excavation in controlled environments, proving the feasibility and safety of their approach. These pivotal moments helped secure initial funding and partnerships with equipment manufacturers and construction firms, setting the stage for broader commercial deployment.
Flywheel AI rides the convergence of several key trends: the rise of autonomous vehicles, AI-driven robotics, and the urgent need for automation in labor-intensive industries like construction. The timing is favorable due to increasing labor shortages, rising construction costs, and the push for safer, more sustainable job sites. Market forces such as advances in AI, sensor technology, and cloud computing enable Flywheel AI to deliver practical autonomous solutions. By pioneering autonomy in heavy equipment, Flywheel AI influences the broader ecosystem by accelerating digital transformation in construction, encouraging equipment manufacturers and contractors to adopt AI-driven workflows, and setting new standards for productivity and safety.
Flywheel AI is poised to expand its footprint as construction automation gains momentum globally. Future trends shaping its journey include integration with broader construction management platforms, enhanced AI capabilities for more complex tasks, and expansion into other types of heavy machinery. Its influence will likely grow as autonomous equipment becomes standard on job sites, driving a shift toward fully automated construction workflows. Flywheel AI’s evolution mirrors the broader industrial AI revolution, promising to transform how infrastructure is built with greater speed, safety, and efficiency—truly embodying the "Waymo for excavators" vision.