Pronto.ai Acquires Safe AI to Expand Autonomous Haulage System
The Venn diagram of engineers knowledgeable in AI, self-driving technology, and mining is a rare intersection. Pronto.ai CEO Anthony Levandowski aims to tap into this niche market by acquiring Safe AI, a competitor in the autonomous haulage system space. This acquisition marks a strategic move for Pronto.ai to bolster its talent pool and technological capabilities.
Safe AI, a San Francisco-based startup known for its innovative approach to self-driving systems for off-road vehicles used in construction and mining, will bring its 12-person engineering team and intellectual property to Pronto.ai. While the financial details of the deal remain undisclosed, sources suggest that the acquisition price was in the millions.
“In the autonomous haulage system space, there’s really kind of two players — it’s SafeAI and us,” Levandowski explained in an interview with JS. “We’ve been growing a ton and needed to add more people and resources to the team, so it made sense to purchase them … have more wood behind fewer arrows so that we could grow faster.”
Pronto.ai, co-founded by Levandowski and Ognen Stojanovski in 2018, utilizes advanced sensors, cameras, and artificial intelligence to enable autonomous operation of haul trucks. The startup also leverages Pollen Mobile, a peer-to-peer open-source mobile data network launched in 2022, to facilitate high-speed data exchange in areas with limited connectivity.
With a lean team of around 40 employees, Pronto.ai has made significant strides in the industry, including a partnership with Heidelberg Materials North America and the deployment of autonomous trucks at various sites. The acquisition of Safe AI will enable Pronto.ai to serve a broader customer base and expand its international reach.
By integrating Safe AI’s multi-sensor approach and safety framework, Pronto.ai will offer customers a tiered technology portfolio catering to diverse needs in the mining and construction sectors. Safe AI’s ASIL D-certified safety framework, the highest in the industry, will enhance Pronto.ai’s existing camera-only system and provide customers with enhanced safety and operational efficiency.
Overall, the acquisition of Safe AI represents a strategic move for Pronto.ai to solidify its position in the autonomous haulage system market, offering customers innovative solutions and expanding its global footprint.
