US startup launches construction’s largest supervised autonomy deployment for mass excavation

A US automation startup, Bedrock Robotics, has launched what it describes as the construction industry’s largest supervised autonomy deployment for mass excavation, in partnership with Sundt Construction. The project involves preparing a 130-acre domestic manufacturing site, where Bedrock’s autonomous systems have moved over 65,000 cubic yards of earth. Their technology operates excavators ranging from 20 to 80 tons, loading human-operated articulating dump trucks using workflows identical to manual operations. This approach allows skilled workers to focus on specialized tasks while automation handles repetitive truck loading, addressing labor shortages and reducing operator fatigue on large-scale or remote sites. Bedrock’s flagship platform, Bedrock Operator, enables semi-independent operation of construction equipment while integrating seamlessly with existing workflows. A notable feature is its reversible, same-day installation, allowing machines to switch quickly between autonomous and manual modes without disrupting projects. Deployed across sites in Arizona, Texas, and Arkansas, the system enhances productivity through real-time job tracking, improved safety, and faster timelines