Helsinki-based Sensible 4 has raised €6.3 million in a Series A funding round to further develop its autonomous driving system. Sensible 4 is a pioneer in the autonomous vehicle industry, specialising in systems that can handle even the harshest weather conditions. Being from the Nordics, they’ve had plenty of opportunities to test their technology in their own back yard.
Driverless vehicles have long struggled in severe weather conditions. However, with Sensible 4’s automation systems, self-driving in fog, heavy rain and even snow has become possible. Since the startup’s inception in 2017, it has drawn attention from automotive companies the world over, even creating its own sector: “Snowtonomous technology.”
The startup’s latest funding round was led by NordicNinja VC, a deeptech fund backed by various Japanese tech companies, and ITOCHU. Sensible 4 has attracted a great deal of attention in Japan in particular. Last year, it released an autonomous shuttle bus called GACHA in co-operation with the retail company MUJI. This collaboration has garnered significant attention in Japan, where GACHA received the highest honour for design in the country, “GOOD DESIGN GOLD AWARD.” That’s not the only award the startup has claimed. Sensible 4 also won “Best Startup” at the Dubai World Challenge for Self-Driving Transport.
“The global autonomous driving solutions still struggle to work in particular conditions like heavy snow, fog or typhoons. Sensible 4’s approach based on their long-term research for autonomous driving is totally different from other existing approaches. Their unique technology enables any kind of autonomous vehicle to drive anywhere and anytime. We are so excited to make this dream reality together with the “dream team” of autonomous driving vehicles,” says Tomosaku Sohara, Managing Partners at NordicNinja VC.
Source: EU-Startups