Teleo

Teleo is a company that develops and deploys autonomous technology for heavy equipment, founded in 2019 by Vinay Shet and Rom Clement. The founders are described as experienced technology executives who have led development for Lyft's Self-Driving Car and Google Street View. The Palo Alto-based company retrofits heavy construction and mining machinery, turning them into semi-autonomous robots that can be operated remotely. This "supervised autonomy" allows a single operator to manage multiple machines from a remote command center, addressing labor shortages and improving operator safety and productivity.

The company's core product is a universal retrofit kit that can be installed on any make or model of heavy equipment, including bulldozers, wheel loaders, and excavators. This system includes in-house built hardware and software, a robust mesh network for connectivity on job sites, and a remote operator station with multiple camera feeds and controls. Operators can switch between manual control, remote teleoperation for complex tasks, and autonomous modes for repetitive actions like hauling. The technology provides real-time video, vehicle data, and analytics to help clients make informed business decisions.

Teleo generates revenue through the sale and installation of its retrofit kits, as well as ongoing support services. Its business model focuses on upgrading existing client fleets, offering a cost-effective alternative to purchasing new autonomous-ready machinery. The company serves a range of industries, including construction, mining, pulp and paper, logging, port logistics, agriculture, and munition clearing. Teleo has established a global dealer partner network to scale deployments across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia.

Since its inception, Teleo has raised a total of $29.8 million. This includes a $12 million Series A round in June 2022 and a subsequent $16.2 million Series A extension in 2024, with both rounds led by UP.Partners. The funding is being used to scale customer deployments, expand into new industries, and enhance its AI capabilities.

Keywords: supervised autonomy, heavy equipment automation, construction robotics, remote operation, teleoperation, retrofit technology, autonomous vehicles, construction technology, mining automation, industrial automation, mesh networking, operator safety, fleet management, material moving, autonomous hauling, remote command center, equipment telematics, machine control, job site efficiency, AI in construction