Finland Firm Launches All-Weather Autonomous Driving Platform
August 9, 2022
Finland-based Sensible 4, which develops self-driving technology, has announced its DAWN autonomous driving software platform. The technology enables autonomous driving in all weather environments, without the need for lane markings. The company also announced increasing its Series A funding round, and announced raising a total of $17.1 million (€16.7 million).
The company said DAWN is now ready to be utilized by its OEM customers, following extensive testing in simulators and open-road conditions across the world. It is looking to integrate DAWN into vehicles entering serial production starting from 2024 with current and new OEM customers.
The company said DAWN has the unique ability to allow automated operations to take place in locations that were previously considered unthinkable from the perspective of automated driving.
“The ability to conquer new ground stems from DAWN’s features,” said Harri Santamala, CEO of Sensible 4. “It is capable of operating in all weather, in darkness, without the need for lane markings, and in the presence of ever-changing environmental obstacles and surroundings. DAWN is now ready to be used by OEMs as part of their production line planning. This means we can actively start addressing the transport challenges of today, such as driver shortage, while providing a sustainable solution that will help the planet in the future.”
Sensible 4 said the SAE Level 4 software provides three solutions in one – it enables last-mile transport of goods and people through autonomous industrial transport, delivery vehicles, and shuttle buses. The Level 4 sensor stack can drive without human assistance in limited conditions, and it can also be remotely operated. The platform is system agnostic, ensuring suitability for different vehicle types and different sensor configurations. WIth the remote operations support, a human can supervise and control the vehicle remotely from a control center. In addition, a single remote operator can operate multiple vehicles, providing an efficient operation for commercial use, the company said.
The system is currently being used in Bodø, Norway, with Sensible 4 carrying out the world’s first long-term autonomous driving service north of the Arctic Circle.
The latest funding for the company included new investor Metaplanet VC, and co-led by Japanese NordicNinja VC. Metaplanet, owned by Skype co-founder Jaan Tallinn, is an early stage investment firm that provides capital to deep tech startup founders.
“We’re proud to partner with Sensible 4 – a company that is shaping the future of transportation,” said Rauno Miljand, managing partner at Metaplanet. “Sensible 4’s product DAWN not only demonstrates how close we are to realizing the benefit of autonomous mobility, but it also sets an unprecedented standard within the industry, due to its all-weather capability. Ultimately, we believe that autonomous mobility will play a huge part in helping our planet and addressing the transport issues of today, such as driver shortage. We’re excited to see o ur partnership vision with Sensible 4 become a reality.”
For more details on the company, visit the Sensible 4 website here.
