Gravis RACK
Gravis Robotics AG · Earthmoving · Shipping since 2025
Last updated: 2026-04
Summary
The Gravis RACK is a rooftop-mounted retrofit autonomy kit that converts existing excavators and wheel loaders (10 to 100+ tonnes) into supervised-autonomous earthmoving machines. It handles repetitive bulk excavation cycles, utility trenching to pipelaying standards, and hopper feeding; complex geometry work, grading, and non-bucket tasks stay with the operator. One qualified operator programs trench geometry on a tablet, steps out of the cab, and the machine delivers fifteen trenches to pipelaying standards on a live construction site (NCE, Manchester Airport deployment). The RACK has shipped since 2025 across seven countries, with deployments spanning quarrying, commercial construction, and pipeline operations on machines from seven confirmed OEM brands.
How it works on your site
Site Clearing and Mass Excavation (Cut)
The RACK runs autonomous dig-swing-dump-return cycles on repetitive bulk tasks. The system reads hydraulic pressure to detect soil hardness and adjusts excavation strategy across varying ground conditions. Operators define jobs from a CAD/BIM model or on-site reference points through the Slate tablet; the machine executes while the operator monitors from outside the cab.
Trenching (Utility Excavation)
The RACK digs trenches to a programmed geometry, navigating around subsurface pipes without human intervention. The operator defines trench dimensions on the Slate tablet using CAD/BIM coordinates or bucket-position reference points, then steps out of the cab for the duration of the autonomous cycle. A 5-week refinement period preceded pipelaying-standard output on the first documented construction site.
Soil Hauling
The system adapts to highly compacted and heterogeneous soil conditions using hydraulic pressure feedback, producing consistent bucket loads across variable ground. On pipeline operations, multiple RACK-equipped excavators handle trench spoil on extended linear projects.
How it worked on other sites
Holcim UK at Lee Moor Quarry hopper feeding trial
Holcim- Two-day trial feeding hopper/screener with sand and gravel on a 23-tonne Develon crawler excavator.
- Achieved 133 cycles/hour sustained throughput across the operating day.
Taylor Woodrow (Vinci Construction UK) at Manchester Airport car park construction
- Six months on-site with 5-week refinement period; 15 trenches dug to pipelaying standards.
- Autonomous trenching at various depths with obstacle avoidance around subsurface pipes on a Yanmar SV100-7.
Techint Group at 60-mile pipeline trenching
- Ongoing production-scale deployment across 60 miles of pipeline on multiple 36-tonne excavators.
- Autonomous pipeline trench digging in highly compacted, heterogeneous soil and shallow bedrock.
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