Overland AI, a military robotics startup, has raised $100 million to expand its advanced autonomous ground vehicles, which are already being used by the U.S. military for tasks like reconnaissance, resupply, and breaching enemy defenses. The company’s robust AI software, proven in challenging environments and military competitions, is now also being adapted for civilian uses such as wildfire management.
Overland AI, a military robotics startup, has raised $100 million to scale up its battlefield-ready autonomous vehicles. The company has been deeply involved in field integration, spending much of 2025 working directly with soldiers and Marines to expand the use cases for its technology. Overland’s autonomous ground vehicles are already being used for a variety of military tasks, including reconnaissance, resupply, and breaching enemy defenses. The recent influx of venture capital, from firms such as ABC and Point72, is aimed at expanding manufacturing capacity in the United States and growing customer-facing teams.
The core strength of Overland AI lies in its software platform, called Platform Autonomy, which serves as the AI “brain” for its vehicles. This software is designed to operate in the most challenging environments—rugged coastlines, dense forests, and difficult terrain—where other autonomous vehicles, like robotaxis and autonomous trucks, typically fail. The company’s technology is built to withstand and perform in these unforgiving conditions, making it particularly suited for military applications.
Overland AI’s origins trace back to the DARPA RACER competition, a four-year government program that tested autonomous vehicles in a variety of military scenarios. The company emerged as the winner, which significantly boosted its credibility and demand within the military. Since then, Overland has seen increasing interest from the Army, Marines, and special operations forces, who are eager to integrate the company’s technology into their missions.
A key example of Overland’s impact is in breaching operations, one of the most dangerous military tasks. Traditionally, about half of the soldiers involved in breaching enemy defenses do not survive. Overland’s autonomous vehicles have been used by Army engineering brigades to remotely approach minefields and deploy line charges, clearing obstacles and creating safe passages for troops. This not only reduces risk to human life but also demonstrates the practical value of autonomous ground systems in real-world military operations.
While Overland’s primary customer is the U.S. military, the company is beginning to explore dual-use applications beyond defense. With the new funding, Overland is partnering with organizations like Cal Fire, the world’s largest wildfire fighting agency, to adapt its technology for use in wildfire management. This expansion into civilian sectors highlights the broader potential of Overland’s autonomous systems, originally developed for military use, to address challenges in other industries as well.