Berlin/Potsdam-based robotics startup sensmore has secured $7.3 million in funding to bring Physical AI to the world’s largest mobile machinery.
As a full-system provider, sensmore retrofits existing heavy mobile machinery on site, for example, in limestone quarries, with hardware and proprietary AI software.
From haul trucks and dumpers to wheel loaders, sensmore automates entire fleets. Its technology transforms any machine into an autonomous, self-reasoning robot that can solve complex tasks in real time, without prior training, enabling automation in production environments where it was previously out of reach.
Combining cameras, 4D radar, and AI, sensmore delivers a robust automation system that remains reliable even in the harshest conditions and adapts dynamically to unfamiliar situations without manual intervention.
At the core of this system, CTO and co-founder Bjarne Johannsen distinguishes between two layers of intelligence:
“Thinking Fast is our end-to-end network that lets machines react instantly and instinctively, like a person walking without thinking. Thinking Slow adds intelligent reasoning, the ability to understand what the task is, how to solve it, and why it matters."
That deeper layer is powered by a VLAM, Johannsen continues:
"Like Figure AI does for humanoids, we use a multimodal system that combines vision, language, and action context to solve complex real-world tasks, even those the machine has never seen before", he adds.
Further collaboration with customers is critical, as CEO and co-founder Maximilian Rolf asserts:
“Our roadmap delivers immediate value through intelligent and assistive features from day one, while laying the data foundation for tomorrow’s full automation.
We don’t just build for our customers — we partner with them to shape the automated future together.”
This roadmap includes sensmore Machine Assist for smart collision alerts and precision positioning, sensmore Site OS as a live operational layer for site supervisors, and sensmore Eye for vision-based quality control. Each module contributes to a platform designed to generate and use large volumes of real-time environment data — unlocking short-term gains while laying the groundwork for autonomous operations.
sensmore has already completed full rollouts at several of Europe’s largest open-pit sites, where customers like CEMEX and Lhoist are seeing measurable improvements in productivity and safety. The company’s first fully automated LHD (Load-Haul-Dump) machine is now undergoing field testing and performs a complete load-and-carry cycle without human intervention.
sensmore’s technology stack is transferable across sectors - from construction and mining to agriculture and defence – anywhere machines operate in harsh, complex, and unstructured environments.
Point Nine Capital led the funding, which included Acequia Capital, Tiny Supercomputer, Prototype Capital, and Entrepreneur First.
Ricardo Sequerra Amram, Partner at Point Nine, commented:
“sensmore is pioneering a new era of intelligent automation for heavy machines.
What sets them apart is their ability to translate cutting-edge AI research into robust, modular solutions that work in the field today.
Their deep customer collaboration and exceptional technical team are laying the foundation for a new wave of reindustrialization across mining, construction, and beyond.”
Among the company’s backers are prominent founders and industry veterans, including:
- Amar Shah (Wayve),
- Michael Wax (Forto),
- Arnoud Balhuizen (former CCO of BHP, board member at Teck Resources),
- Thilo Konzok,
- Roby Stancel,
- Robin Dechant,
- Alexey Zhigarev, and
- Elmar Leiblein (former CEO of Thyssenkrupp Mining).
Additional funding has been received from the State of Brandenburg and the European Union.
Lead image: sensmore co-founders Bjarne Johannsen (left) and Maximilian Rolf (right). Photo: uncredited.
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