Robotic Research Raises $228 Million to Expand Military Autonomy Tech Into Commercial Markets
Self-driving technology company Robotic Research secures a $228 million Series A round led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2 to scale its commercial autonomous vehicle business. The company leverages two decades of military experience to offer robust self-driving kits for heavy-duty trucks and buses.
Robotic Research raises a massive $228 million Series A round led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2 and Enlightenment Capital to scale its commercial autonomous vehicle division, RR.AI. The company spends the last two decades developing self-driving technology for the Department of Defense and now brings that rugged, battle-tested autonomy to the commercial market. Investors like Luminar and Crescent Cove Advisors join the round to support this transition from military contracts to widespread commercial applications.
The company currently operates its vehicle-agnostic AutoDrive kits in about 150 heavy-duty transit buses and Class 8 trucks across five continents. Unlike typical commercial self-driving systems, RR.AI incorporates advanced sensors like stereo vision and structure from motion to handle unmapped areas and inclement weather. This military-grade approach gives the company a significant advantage over competitors that struggle to navigate slippery roads, dust, or missing lane lines.
RR.AI directs the new funding specifically toward industrializing and expanding these commercial deployments. One notable project involves automating electric buses for the Connecticut Department of Transportation to create an automated bus rapid transit line with precision docking. These buses operate at Level 4 autonomy, meaning they drive themselves without human intervention, though human operators remain on board for safety.