Gravis Robotics hits $1bn valuation with $200m investment from SoftBank

Swiss AI robotics startup Gravis Robotics has secured a $200 million investment from SoftBank, propelling its valuation to $1 billion after the funding round. The company specializes in building AI models to automate heavy construction equipment, allowing it to perform tasks such as driving, digging, and excavating. Gravis Robotics was spun out of Swiss university ETH Zurich in 2022 and trains its models using simulated experiences, enabling precise understanding of machine-ground interactions.

The startup offers software ranging from a copilot for operators to full autonomy, resulting in a 30% increase in jobsite productivity. CEO Ryan Luke emphasized the importance of automating foundational work in construction projects to address the bottleneck slowing down the built environment. Prior to the $200 million Series A funding, Gravis raised $23 million last year from IQ Capital, Armada Investment Group, Zacua Ventures, and Holcim.

SoftBank reportedly considered acquiring the company a few weeks ago. The robotics sector in Europe is experiencing a surge, with startups raising €2.67 billion in funding during the first six months of 2026, surpassing the combined €2.28 billion secured in the previous two years.