Innovative Technology from GroundedAI Aims to Transform Below-Grade Construction in Canada

📅 6 days ago

GroundedAI, a B.C.-based startup, has secured $2 million in funding to enhance its technology that aims to reduce delays and cost overruns in underground construction projects, which are becoming increasingly significant as Canada embarks on over $100 billion in infrastructure development.

As Canada gears up for a substantial investment exceeding $100 billion in major infrastructure projects, many of which will involve significant underground work, a British Columbia-based startup is stepping in with technology designed to help both owners and contractors mitigate the risks of below-grade delays and unexpected cost overruns. Shelby Yee, the CEO of GroundedAI, explains that their innovative technology captures vital data and generates a comprehensive 3D visualization that connects field teams working underground with decision-makers operating above ground on a daily basis. This capability is particularly crucial in fields like mining and tunneling, where unforeseen changes in soil conditions can lead to construction and excavation delays.
In addition to facilitating swift underground data collection, GroundedAI’s technology offers insights into the ongoing progression of construction projects, according to Yee, a geo-engineer who brings a decade of expertise in underground data gathering. Recently, the startup attracted a significant investment of $2 million from a consortium of investors, spearheaded by Stand Up Ventures. This funding will be pivotal in accelerating the company's entry into the tunneling market.
GroundedAI’s technology could prove invaluable in projects such as the Ontario Line transit tunneling in Toronto. Originally budgeted at just under $11 billion in 2019, the costs for this 15.6-kilometer project have since skyrocketed to approximately $34 billion. As Yee points out, the underground environment is fraught with unpredictability, making it challenging to conduct thorough probing before excavation in densely populated urban areas. She notes that many ongoing projects still depend on outdated methodologies like paper logs and spreadsheets, which can lead to inefficient communication and data management.
"As you move into construction, you may only have a linear expectation of what will happen over the next hundred meters, but the reality is that the ground is far more variable than a straight line suggests," Yee remarks. The digital information technology developed by GroundedAI not only provides progress reports but also enables contractors and owners to compare actual ground conditions with initial expectations. By delivering a clear 3D representation of the underground landscape at specific moments, the technology empowers stakeholders to resolve disputes proactively, before they escalate into larger issues.
Beyond aiding in geological and geotechnical decision-making, GroundedAI’s solutions also examine the supply chain and assess the ground support being utilized. The company’s core platform is composed of Lithos, an iPad-based LiDAR application for underground data capture, and Strata, a web-based platform designed for geo-referencing, mapping, and identifying discrepancies between project budgets and ground models.
Yee highlights that GroundedAI has garnered experience working on various infrastructure tunnel projects across Canada, the United States, and internationally, having collaborated with engineering firms like Hatch and Schnabel Engineering. She cites research conducted by Danish economic professor Bent Flyvbjerg, a leading authority on megaprojects, which indicates that the average cost overrun for rail and urban transit projects is around 45 percent.
Despite the promising developments, Yee acknowledges that GroundedAI has significant work ahead to achieve its objectives. While the company is focused on delivering an application for data collection and a platform for project scheduling, she emphasizes that supporting construction management teams on a day-to-day basis throughout the lifecycle of a project represents another critical challenge.
Interest from the tunneling sector in GroundedAI's technology has been remarkably strong, according to Yee. "This really underscores the opportunities available to improve costs and highlights that there are teams working underground that are eager to embrace technological advancements."

Related Posts