# ASI and SoftBank launch joint venture to commercialize autonomous heavy equipment

Digest AI · Robotics & Physical AI · published 2026-09-30T12:30:17Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/asi-and-softbank-launch-joint-venture-to-commercialize-autonomous-heav

## Summary

Autonomous Solutions Inc. (ASI) and SoftBank Group Corp. announced a joint venture aimed at commercializing brand‑agnostic autonomous heavy equipment for large‑scale infrastructure projects.  ASI’s Mobius industrial fleet‑orchestration system, which already coordinates mixed fleets of haul trucks, dozers, loaders and compactors, will be offered as a software‑defined solution that works across any major equipment brand.

SoftBank is providing $225 million in new funding to expand ASI’s commercial operations and accelerate deployment of autonomous fleets in roadways, airports, railways, waste‑management and other construction sectors.  The partnership is presented as a way to address severe labor shortages, improve scalability and boost efficiency on complex job sites.

The venture positions ASI at the forefront of autonomous construction innovation, with plans to grow its market reach and support contractors in automating high‑capacity tasks from earthmoving to vertical construction.  ASI CEO Mel Torrie will discuss the initiative at the 2026 RoboBusiness conference in October.

## Key points

- ASI and SoftBank created a joint venture to commercialize brand‑agnostic autonomous heavy equipment.
- SoftBank is providing $225 million to expand ASI’s commercial operations.
- ASI’s Mobius system can coordinate mixed fleets of haul trucks, dozers, loaders and compactors autonomously.

## Why it matters

Scaling autonomous equipment can ease construction labor shortages, speed infrastructure delivery and lower project costs, accelerating AI‑driven robotics adoption across the built environment.

## Sources

1. [Tackling construction labor shortages: ASI and SoftBank partner on autonomous fleets](https://therobotreport.com/tackling-construction-labor-shortages-asi-softbank-partner-autonomous-fleets) (The Robot Report, 2026-09-30)

## Cite

Digest AI, "ASI and SoftBank launch joint venture to commercialize autonomous heavy equipment", 30 September 2026, https://digestai.news/story/asi-and-softbank-launch-joint-venture-to-commercialize-autonomous-heav

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