A 50-ton wheel loader moves across a limestone quarry in Rüdersdorf, Germany. Dust clouds the air. The machine, retrofitted with a suite of sensors and a central computer, navigates the pit, identifies a pile of material, and executes a load-and-carry cycle. No one is in the cab. This is Sensmore's bet in production at a Cemex site, a demonstration of what the Berlin startup calls Physical AI for the world's largest off-highway machinery [International Mining, June 2026].
Founded in 2022, Sensmore is not building new robots. It is turning existing industrial fleets,haul trucks, dumpers, loaders,into what it terms self-reasoning autonomous systems. The company's $7.3 million Series A round, led by Point Nine Capital in May 2025, backs a full-stack approach: proprietary hardware kits, 4D imaging radar, and AI software that integrates directly onto machines at customer sites [Tech.eu, May 2025]. The pitch is automation that works where others fail, in the mud, dust, and low visibility of raw material extraction.
The Radar-First Wedge
Sensmore's technical differentiation starts with its sensor suite. While many autonomy systems rely heavily on cameras and LiDAR, the company argues these are compromised by the particulate-filled environments of mines and quarries. Its system prioritizes 4D imaging radar, augmented by cameras, for what it calls "unprecedented scene understanding" with minimal performance degradation over days in adverse conditions [sensmore, retrieved 2026].
The AI layer is built around Vision-Language-Action Models (VLAMs), an architecture designed to enable machines to perceive, reason, and act in real time. Co-founder and CTO Bjarne Johannsen, who presented the work at an IEEE robotics conference, leads development of these end-to-end learning models [PERPLEXITY SONAR PRO BRIEF, retrieved 2026]. The claim is a form of "zero-shot autonomy," where a machine can tackle complex tasks without extensive site-specific training [sensmore, retrieved 2026].
From Safety Product to Full Automation
The company's commercial entry point is a safety system called Machine Assist, which provides collision warnings and is marketed as GDPR-compliant [sensmore, retrieved 2026]. This serves as a gateway to its more comprehensive Loader Automation product, which delivers fully automated load-and-carry capabilities. The product roadmap suggests a layered sale: first, improve safety and gather data; then, automate discrete, repetitive tasks to boost productivity.
Sensmore reports completed full rollouts at several of Europe's largest open-pit sites. Its named customers provide concrete validation.
- Cemex. The building materials giant is deploying Sensmore's technology at its Rüdersdorf limestone quarry and an underground production site, working toward a digital and automated quarry operation [International Mining, June 2026].
- Lhoist. The lime and dolime producer is also a customer, with Sensmore citing measurable improvements in productivity and safety across its operations [Tech.eu, May 2025].
- Heidelberg Materials. The company is partnering with Sensmore to automate wheel loader operations at a sand and gravel extraction site in northern Germany [International Mining, May 2026].
The Team and the Capital Stack
The founding team blends robotics expertise with industry connections. Co-founder and CEO Maximilian Rolf leads commercial strategy and external engagement, recently participating in a fireside chat at a major deeptech conference [deeptech.build, May 2026]. CTO Bjarne Johannsen anchors the technical vision. The broader team draws experience from Mercedes-Benz, Bosch, ZF, and academic institutions like Uni Stuttgart and UCL, bringing direct knowledge of autonomous driving and radar systems from the automotive world [PERPLEXITY SONAR PRO BRIEF, retrieved 2026].
Their $7.3 million Series A, reported as €6.5 million in European press, attracted a syndicate of notable early-stage funds and angels [EU-Startups, May 2025]. The round was led by Point Nine Capital, joined by Acequia Capital, Cherry Ventures, Costanoa Ventures, and Frontline Ventures, among others. The investor list suggests confidence in the team's applied robotics approach and the retrofit market wedge.
| Funding Round | Date | Amount | Lead Investor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Series A | May 2025 | $7.3 million | Point Nine Capital |
Where the Wheels Could Come Off
The ambition is high, and the environment is unforgiving. The primary risk is scaling a complex hardware-software system across diverse machinery types and wildly variable site conditions. Claiming "zero-shot" autonomy for any machine is a formidable technical challenge; real-world reliability at scale will be the ultimate test.
Competition is also moving. Built Robotics in the US focuses on earthmoving, while companies like SafeAI and Teleo are also pursuing retrofit automation. Beijing Yikong Zhijia Technology represents a well-funded Chinese competitor. Sensmore's radar-centric pitch is its differentiator, but it must out-execute in deployment and prove a superior total cost of ownership to fleet operators.
Finally, the sales motion is inherently heavy. Retrofitting multi-million-dollar equipment on active mine sites requires deep customer trust, lengthy sales cycles, and significant on-site integration work. The company's early deals with major corporates like Cemex are promising, but the path to replicating these wins across Europe and beyond will demand capital and operational stamina.
The Next Twelve Months
For Sensmore, the immediate future is about proving the Series A thesis. Key milestones will be expanding the footprint within existing lighthouse customers and signing the next tier of European quarry and mining operators. The partnership with Heidelberg Materials will be a crucial case study to watch. Technically, the evolution of its VLAMs and the robustness of its Loader Automation in continuous operation will define its product maturity.
The capital runway from the May 2025 round likely sets the stage for the next 18-24 months. Given the capital intensity of hardware development and field deployments, another fundraising round,a Series B,could materialize in late 2026 or 2027, contingent on hitting deployment and revenue targets. The valuation then will hinge less on the promise of radar and AI and more on the number of autonomous cycles completed, the reduction in customer downtime, and the gross margin on each kit shipped.
Point Nine Capital led the $7.3 million check, betting that Sensmore's full-stack, radar-first approach can own the autonomy slot for Europe's heavy industrial fleets. Cherry Ventures, Costanoa, and Frontline Ventures joined the round. The question for the next year is straightforward: can the Berlin team convert its technical differentiator and early customer logos into a repeatable, scalable business, or will the harsh realities of physical AI in the dirt prove too complex to wire at profit?
Sources
- [International Mining, June 2026] Sensmore showcases Cemex success story at Rüdersdorf quarry | https://www.sensmore.ai/news/mining-forum-2024
- [Tech.eu, May 2025] Sensmore secures US$7.3 million in funding | https://siliconcanals.com/sensmore-raises-6-4m/
- [sensmore, retrieved 2026] Why Radar is all you need (in construction and mining) | https://www.sensmore.ai/press/why-radar-is-all-you-need
- [PERPLEXITY SONAR PRO BRIEF, retrieved 2026] Company profile and team background | https://www.sensmore.ai/about
- [deeptech.build, May 2026] DTM27 Full Agenda listing | https://www.deeptech.build/agenda
- [EU-Startups, May 2025] Sensmore secures €6.5 million | https://siliconcanals.com/sensmore-raises-6-4m/
- [International Mining, May 2026] Sensmore partners with Heidelberg on wheel loader automation | https://www.sensmore.ai/press/eu-funding