White Raven

White Raven operates in the artificial intelligence sector, specializing in visual positioning software. The company has developed technology that enables cameras to recognize physical objects like buildings and landmarks to determine their own precise location and orientation. This capability is particularly crucial for the navigation of autonomous vehicles and robots in environments where GPS signals are unreliable or unavailable. By providing centimeter-level accuracy, the system facilitates navigation to exact points, such as a specific entrance to a building, and serves as a foundational technology for augmented reality experiences for vehicle occupants. The core of its business model centers on providing this advanced positioning data as a service. While initially focused on autonomous navigation, the company's offerings have expanded to include a suite of AI development services such as predictive analytics, semantic search, and image recognition for various business applications.

The company's journey began in 2013, and it has since navigated through the complexities of the tech industry. PitchBook data indicates the company raised a total of $4.15 million, with investors including TAU Ventures. Another source reports a seed round in November 2015 involving 7percent Ventures among others. However, PitchBook also lists the company's status as 'Out of Business' as of November 2020, and the domain whiteraven.ai is currently listed for sale. This suggests a pivot or conclusion of its initial visual positioning operations. Concurrently, other entities named White Raven operate in different domains, including digital marketing and consulting, which appear to be separate from the original AI visual positioning firm.

The technology functions by creating and referencing detailed 3D maps of an environment from the cloud, a method that only requires a standard camera. This visual positioning system (VPS) is designed to bridge the gap between coarse GPS data and highly accurate local tracking, providing a robust solution for city-scale augmented reality and autonomous navigation. Before its first use, the system must survey an area with a good GNSS signal to build its initial feature map. This map is then updated over time using data collected during regular operations, ensuring its accuracy and reliability as a primary or backup navigation system. Keywords: visual positioning system, autonomous navigation, GPS-denied environments, augmented reality navigation, computer vision, AI software, object recognition, SLAM, 3D mapping, autonomous vehicles, robotics navigation, location-based services, sensor fusion, AR cloud, geospatial intelligence, automotive technology, AI-based navigation, landmark recognition, precise positioning, camera-based localization