Finnish startup Sensible 4 bags €6.3M to improve self-driving vehicles in challenging weather

In the latest development, Finnish autonomous driving technology firm Sensible 4 has raised $7 million (approx €6.3 million) in their series A funding round that will see the company market expansion to Europe and Asia. The round was led by NordicNinja VC and ITOCHU, one of the largest Japanese trading companies.

The first phase of the investment round before commercial production is now completed. The total round is expected to double and to be completed by the summer. 

Please keep reading..

As the coronavirus pandemic unfolds in the world, we at Silicon Canals are committed to...Show More

As the coronavirus pandemic unfolds in the world, we at Silicon Canals are committed to creating the biggest possible impact on the technology industry and startup ecosystem by bringing quality journalism to your devices. But today we rely on our readers to support us. We are asking you a big favour to make a contribution and support our editorial team to continue to investigate and write some insightful stories for you during these crisis times. We want to stand by you and do whatever it takes to bring the best news content to you.Our stories are free to read, exclusive, unbiased and always with an edge and with your financial support, we can keep the wheel spinning independently. Our online news platform is run by a small, independent publisher without any form of external capital or grants but still, we plan to stay here for long.We’d like to thank you in advance for your contribution! Each donation, however big or small, means a lot. Support Silicon Canals from as little as €10 – it will only take a minute. Thank you again.Show Less

Read more

Harri Santamala, co-founder and CEO of Sensible 4:

We are very proud to have such strong investors joining Sensible 4 as shareholders. We are still one of the only companies in this field that can drive autonomously in all weather conditions. With the investment, we will be able to develop the technology to a level that allows us to integrate this to commercial use.

The funding will be used to develop the software, and part further will be used to build more GACHA busses, which aims to enter the Japanese and Chinese markets at the end of the year.

If you are unaware, the Finnish startup specialises in autonomous driving software for demanding and harsh weather conditions. The company’s solution, which is first in allowing for self-driving in snow, fog, and heavy rain — has attracted growing attention from major automotive players since the startups’ inception in 2017.

Tomosaku Sohara, Managing Partners at NordicNinja VC:

Sensible 4’s approach based on their long-term research for autonomous driving is different from other existing approaches. Their unique technology enables any autonomous vehicle to drive anywhere and anytime. 

In 2019 Sensible 4 released the autonomous shuttle bus GACHA in cooperation with Japanese retail company MUJI, which has sparked significant interest in Japan. In fact, GACHA has won the “GOOD DESIGN GOLD AWARD” – the number one recognition for design in Japan as well as the prestigious Beazley Designs of the year award in the Transport category at the Design Museum in London.

Main image credits: Sensible 4

Stay tuned to Silicon Canals for more European technology news

Working on next big innovation in health & nutrition?

How do we create a world where we can feed a population of 9 billion, and keep all those...Show More

How do we create a world where we can feed a population of 9 billion, and keep all those people healthy? Show Less

Read more