Holcim has strengthened its position in digital construction by investing in Gravis Robotics, the earthmoving autonomy company that has secured USD 23 million in new funding. The move, made through Holcim MAQER Ventures, signals growing momentum behind automated earthmoving technology, construction robotics, and data-led site operations. It also opens opportunities to scale Gravis Robotics’ autonomous solutions across Holcim’s global markets, building on a recent UK pilot that demonstrated the potential for deployment in quarry environments.
Automated earthmoving systems are becoming central to digital construction strategies as the sector seeks ways to improve site productivity, manage skilled labour shortages, and reduce operational risk. Gravis Robotics develops autonomous and semi-autonomous systems for heavy machinery, combining artificial intelligence, LiDAR, vision technology, and adaptive hydraulic control to support precision digging and real-time decision making. By enabling operators to shift between autonomous modes and augmented control, the technology is designed to deliver productivity gains while creating the data foundations needed to support future digital workflows.
Bengt Steinbrecher, Head of Holcim MAQER Ventures, said the investment aligns with the company’s longstanding work in automation and robotics. He noted that Gravis Robotics’ approach offers scope for wider application, including quarry operations where process optimisation and safety improvements are strategic priorities. The technology is expected to play a role in Holcim’s ambition to scale digital construction tools that support efficient material extraction and handling.
Construction technology ecosystem
Founded in 2022 as a spinout from ETH Zurich, Gravis Robotics has rapidly established itself within the construction technology ecosystem. Its integrated system applies sensors and machine intelligence to monitor and adjust machinery performance in real time, allowing teams to work with greater consistency across complex terrain and changing site conditions.
Gravis Robotics’ CEO and co-founder, Ryan Luke Johns, emphasised that enabling tangible productivity gains is central to accelerating adoption. By providing operators with 3D machine intelligence and mixed-control capabilities, the company aims to support progressive learning cycles that help autonomous systems adapt to diverse operational tasks.
Holcim’s investment in Gravis Robotics reflects a broader shift towards automated earthmoving, AI-enabled construction machinery, and robotics in quarrying. As digital construction continues to evolve, partnerships between technology developers and global materials producers are expected to play a pivotal role in advancing autonomous workflows and unlocking operational efficiency across the built environment.
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