THE ROBOT REPORT

SoftBank puts $225M into ASI and forms venture for self-driving construction equipment

Utah-based Autonomous Solutions Inc. (ASI) and SoftBank Group announced a joint venture on Sept. 24, 2026 to develop and sell autonomous heavy equipment for large infrastructure jobs. SoftBank also invested $225 million in ASI itself. ASI's CEO says the company's Mobius software runs mixed fleets of haul trucks, dozers, loaders and compactors from any major brand.

Developing. Last updated — it was still moving as of that date, and may have changed since. The app shows the current state.

By the 806AI desk · Published · 1 min read

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Why this matters

For the 806

If you run a dozer, loader or haul truck, this is money aimed at making that equipment work without an operator in the seat. ASI already has an office in Dallas-Fort Worth, but the sources name no Texas job sites and no timeline, so nothing here says when or whether this shows up on a Lubbock road or airport project. The company frames it as a fix for a shortage of skilled operators, which is ASI's own claim, not an independent finding.

What we know

  • ASI and SoftBank Group announced a joint venture on Sept. 24, 2026 to develop and commercialize autonomous construction equipment for large infrastructure projects.
  • SoftBank Group invested $225 million in ASI, separate from the joint venture.
  • ASI says the $225 million will go toward growing its commercial operations across the broader construction market.
  • ASI makes Mobius, software that coordinates fleets of self-driving industrial vehicles across different equipment brands.
  • CEO Mel Torrie says customers can run mixed fleets of haul trucks, dozers, loaders and compactors autonomously, from earthmoving to vertical construction.
  • ASI was founded in 2000 in Mendon, Utah, and has offices in Salt Lake City, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Longmont, Colorado.

What we don't know

  • Only one authoritative outlet found so far — no second independent source yet.
  • Exact event date not confirmed — publicationDate used as the best-known date.
  • The size of the funding inside the joint venture was not disclosed.
  • Who owns what share of the joint venture, and the name of the venture, were not disclosed.
  • Which construction companies or projects will use the equipment is not stated.
  • What the systems cost a contractor is not stated.
  • Whether the technology reduces, shifts or increases jobs on a site is not addressed in the sources.

Sources

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