Pronto Acquires SafeAI: AV Startup Consolidates Off-Road Autonomy

Pronto Acquires SafeAI to Strengthen Autonomous Mining Technology

The overlap between engineers possessing expertise in artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, and the mining industry is limited. Anthony Levandowski, CEO of Pronto, is actively seeking to expand this intersection of talent. A recent acquisition is designed to facilitate this expansion.

Expanding Capabilities in Autonomous Haulage

Pronto, a San Francisco-based startup specializing in self-driving systems for haul trucks and off-road vehicles utilized in construction and mining operations, has acquired its competitor, SafeAI. This information was recently confirmed by TechCrunch.

The financial details of the transaction remain undisclosed. However, Levandowski emphasized that the primary motivation behind the acquisition is to bolster both the engineering team and the technological resources available to Pronto. The majority of SafeAI’s 12-person engineering team, along with its intellectual property, will be integrated into Pronto. Sources indicate the acquisition price reached “the millions.”

A Strategic Consolidation of Expertise

“Within the autonomous haulage system sector, SafeAI and Pronto have consistently been the leading contenders,” Levandowski explained in a recent interview. He further noted that the two companies had pursued distinct strategies in the market. “Our rapid growth necessitated an increase in personnel and resources, making the acquisition of SafeAI a logical step to concentrate our efforts and accelerate development.”

Pronto’s Technology and Infrastructure

Established in 2018 by Levandowski and Ognen Stojanovski, Pronto employs sophisticated sensors, cameras, and artificial intelligence to enable autonomous operation of haul trucks.

Furthermore, Pronto leverages Pollen Mobile, a peer-to-peer, open-source mobile data network launched in 2022. This network facilitates anonymous, high-speed data exchange without reliance on traditional telecommunication providers, proving invaluable in areas with limited or no connectivity.

Growth and Partnerships

Pronto has maintained a focused team of approximately 40 individuals. The integration of SafeAI will enable Pronto to broaden its customer base, including expansion into international markets, according to Levandowski.

Last year saw an extension of Pronto’s partnership with Heidelberg Materials North America, a major producer of building materials and cement. This followed a successful pilot program at the company’s Bridgeport Quarry in Texas, where Pronto’s technology is integrated into Komatsu haulage trucks for autonomous operation.

Earlier this year, Pronto announced an agreement with Heidelberg to deploy over 100 autonomous trucks and expand its team in Brazil.

Meeting Diverse Mining Needs

The acquisition will position Pronto to effectively address a wider spectrum of client requirements, ranging from smaller quarries to large-scale mining operations.

A Tiered Technology Offering

A key benefit of the acquisition is the ability to provide customers with a diversified technology portfolio. Pronto is recognized for its camera-only approach to autonomy. SafeAI, founded in 2017 and having secured $38 million in Series B funding three years ago, utilizes a multi-sensor system incorporating cameras, radar, and lidar. Pronto intends to offer both the multi-sensor option and leverage SafeAI’s safety framework, which has achieved ASIL D certification – the highest safety integrity level in the industry.

This allows for a more flexible and adaptable approach to autonomous mining solutions.