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sensmore builds physical AI solutions to transform heavy off-highway machinery into intelligent, autonomous robots. The company's platform integrates advanced capabilities like Site OS, Machine Assist, Eye, Live Mapping, and Loader Automation, enabling these machines to perform complex tasks with enhanced safety and efficiency. Their technical approach centers on embodied AI and Vision Language Action Models (VLAM), allowing for sophisticated real-time understanding and interaction within demanding operational environments.
Co-founders Maximilian Rolf, CEO, and Bjarne Johannsen, CTO, established sensmore with the insight that the world's largest mobile machines could be imbued with human-like intelligence. Their expertise in robotics and machine learning, honed at institutions such as Uni Stuttgart, TUM, and UCL, and companies like Mercedes, Bosch, and ZF, provided the foundational knowledge to develop their innovative approach to machine automation.
sensmore primarily serves customers in the mining, construction, agriculture, and defense sectors, where large-scale machinery is critical. The company's vision extends beyond conventional automation, aiming to infuse machines with the ability to think, adapt, and perform autonomously. This strategic focus ensures intelligent, safe, and highly capable equipment, poised to redefine operational standards and productivity across heavy industries.
sensmore has raised $7.0M across 1 funding round.
sensmore has raised $7.0M in total across 1 funding round.
sensmore has raised $7.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $7.0M Series U in May 2025.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2025 | $7M Series U | — | 20VC, Acequia Capital, AngelList Syndicator, Antler, Cherry Ventures, Costanoa Ventures, Felix Capital, Flex Capital, Frontline Ventures, KRM Interests LLC, Point Nine Capital, Prototype Capital, Seedcamp, Super Ventures, SV Angel, True Ventures, Y Combinator, Charlie Cheever, Charlie Songhurst, Chris Murphy, Darius Contractor, Hanno Renner, JAN Deepen, JAN Erik Solem, Jason Lemkin, Jeremy YAP, Julius Köhler, Kevin Stumpf, LUC Vincent, Mario Götze, Michael WAX, Oliver Cameron, Pete Koomen, Philipp Herkelmann, RON Pragides, Shane Neman, Stefan Jeschonnek | Announced |
sensmore has raised $7.0M in total across 1 funding round.
sensmore's investors include 20VC, Acequia Capital, AngelList Syndicator, Antler, Cherry Ventures, Costanoa Ventures, Felix Capital, Flex Capital, Frontline Ventures, KRM Interests LLC, Point Nine Capital, Prototype Capital.
Sensmore is a Berlin/Potsdam-based AI and robotics startup that develops Physical AI and Vision-Language-Action Models (VLAMs) to automate heavy mobile machinery in mining, construction, and raw materials sectors.[1][2][3][5] The company retrofits fleets of haul trucks, wheel loaders, and dumpers with modular hardware and proprietary AI software, enabling real-time automation of complex tasks like load-and-carry in harsh environments such as rain, fog, mud, or underground settings where vision-based systems fail.[1][2][5] It serves heavy industry operators like CEMEX and Lhoist, solving labor shortages, safety risks, and downtime by boosting productivity up to 30%, preventing lost-time injuries (LTIs), and improving resource efficiency through features like collision warnings and autonomous operations.[3][5] Sensmore raised $7.3M in May 2025, led by Point Nine Capital with EU and industry backing, showing strong growth momentum via customer rollouts in major quarries.[2][3]
Founded by a team of autonomous driving and radar experts from Mercedes Benz, ZF, and Continental, Sensmore emerged to address automation gaps in heavy machinery using radar-driven AI superior to vision systems in adverse conditions.[1] CTO and co-founder Bjarne Johannsen leads the technical vision, distinguishing "Thinking Fast" (end-to-end reactive AI) from "Thinking Slow" (VLAM-powered reasoning for novel tasks), drawing parallels to humanoid robotics like Figure AI.[2] The idea gained traction through co-development with customers, early pilots in quarries, and backing from investors like Amar Shah (Wayve co-founder) and mining veterans Arnoud Balhuizen (ex-BHP) and Elmar Leiblein (ex-ThyssenKrupp).[1][2] Pivotal moments include full-site deployments at Rüdersdorf and Flandersbach quarries, plus $7.3M funding in May 2025 to scale fleet automation across Europe.[3][5]
Sensmore rides the Physical AI and embodied intelligence wave, adapting VLAMs from humanoid robotics to industrial-scale heavy machinery amid Europe's reindustrialization push.[2][3][5] Timing aligns with deepening labor shortages, rising costs, and demands for scalable automation in mining/construction, where traditional systems falter in harsh conditions.[3] Market forces like EU funding and industry veterans' involvement favor its modular, retrofit approach over full machine replacements, enabling fleet-scale rollouts that enhance safety and productivity.[1][2] It influences the ecosystem by proving AI viability in "Automation 2.0" for foundational industries, potentially accelerating adoption beyond Europe and inspiring similar tech for shipping or space robotics.[3][4][5]
Sensmore is poised to dominate heavy machinery automation, expanding Loader Automation and Site OS to full fleet autonomy in mining and construction, with VLAMs unlocking adaptive tasks in novel environments.[2][5] Trends like Physical AI proliferation, EU reindustrialization grants, and global labor gaps will propel growth, potentially targeting adjacent sectors like shipping (e.g., Neptune Robotics parallels).[3][4] Its influence may evolve into an industry standard for retrofit AI, driving widespread productivity gains while redefining safety in harsh operations—transforming sensmore from quarry pioneer to global heavy industry powerhouse.[1][3]
