Mapping Startup for Autonomous Vehicles Raises $20M

Carmera, which came out of stealth two years ago, has now raised $20 million in a Series B funding round led by GV, formerly known as Google Ventures. Carmera had previously only raised $6.5 million.

Aug. 24, 2018

August 24, 2018—Carmera, which came out of stealth two years ago, has now raised $20 million in a Series B funding round led by GV, formerly known as Google Ventures. Carmera had previously only raised $6.5 million, reported TechCrunch.

The company describes itself as a street intelligence platform for autonomy. Its main product is the Carmera autonomous map, a high-definition map for autonomous vehicle customers like automakers, suppliers and robotaxis, reported TechCrunch. The twist here is that the company uses data gleaned from its other product—a fleet-monitoring service used by commercial customers with vehicles driven by humans—to keep those AV maps fresh.

The company announced the funding raise Thursday along with a few other updates, including a new feature on its autonomous mapping product and a partnership with New York City. The capital will be used to hire more talent and expand, according to the report.

Carmera can move into new markets where it suspects there will be a need in the future, not just wait for a call from their customers. One of those customers is Voyage, the autonomous driving startup that currently operates self-driving cars in retirement communities.