CRH Ventures Initiates Pilot Program with SafeAI for Autonomous Hauling Solutions
CRH Ventures, a subsidiary of global building materials leader CRH plc, is excited to announce the commencement of a pilot program with SafeAI, a global leader in autonomous solutions for heavy equipment. The pilot program aims to evaluate the feasibility and capabilities of SafeAI’s innovative technology for autonomous operations in quarrying.
SafeAI’s retrofit solution utilizes state of the art imaging, detection and positioning technologies and Artificial Intelligence to enable heavy off-road hauling vehicles to operate autonomously. CRH Ventures has engaged SafeAI for a pilot program at one of its prominent quarrying subsidiaries in North America. The autonomous truck, equipped with SafeAI’s advanced technologies, will operate in an isolated area under the supervision of a test driver.
Eduardo Gomez, Head of CRH Ventures, expressed strong enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating,
This pilot program with SafeAI aligns with our commitment to explore innovative solutions for more efficient and sustainable quarrying operations. We are excited to assess the potential of autonomous hauling technology in a controlled environment and the possibilities for future scaling.Eduardo Gomez Head of CRH Ventures
The pilot program is designed to simulate quarry operations and will run for approximately one year. The success of the initiative will be evaluated based on predetermined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) over various test scenarios, comparing autonomous performance against traditionally manned operations.
“While this marks an important step in our exploration of autonomous hauling solutions, it’s crucial to clarify that, at this stage, CRH Ventures is focusing on piloting the technology before finalizing any strategic investments,” said Gomez.
Bibhrajit Halder, Founder & CEO of SafeAI added, “Autonomous solutions have the potential to transform heavy industry; we work with forward-thinking companies to bring this potential to life. We’re excited to partner with CRH to advance its vision for sustainable, efficient quarry operations. Together, we can showcase the capacity for new technologies to create a safer, more productive future for the construction industry.”
About CRH Ventures
CRH Ventures is the venture capital unit of CRH, the global leader in building materialssolutions. With access to a $250M Venturing and Innovation Fund, CRH Ventures partners with and invests ambitiously and strategically in ConTech and ClimateTech start-ups across the entire construction value chain. For more information visit www.crhventures.com.
About SafeAI
SafeAI is a global autonomous solutions provider for heavy equipment leaders focused on advancing modern industry. SafeAI retrofits heavy equipment for autonomous applications in mining and construction to serve a massive ecosystem of industry players with complex needs. SafeAI enables equipment owners to transform existing machines into self-operating robotic assets with aftermarket hardware, advanced, proprietary autonomous technology and a scalable framework for deployment. SafeAI is headquartered in Santa Clara, CA and has offices in Perth, Australia, Tokyo, Japan and Delhi, India.