black.ai

About

Black.ai develops privacy-first computer vision and 3D sensor systems that generate non-identifying, high-granularity behavioral datasets and shared sensor infrastructure for retail checkout, robotics, and urban deployments.

Mission

Black.ai is a Melbourne-based computer vision software startup founded in 2016 by Keaton Okkonen and Karthik Naarayanan. The company offers automated computer vision and privacy-first modeling algorithms that create highly granular, non-identifying datasets to improve management and planning of physical environments. Black.ai is building advanced systems that use computer vision and high-performance data organization to make human behaviors searchable through software. In June 2022 the company raised $5.4M in a Seed+ round led by Jelix Ventures, with support from Right Click Capital and several angel investors. The funding brings Black.ai's total raised to $8.55M. Proceeds will be used to double local headcount, expand industry reach, and build out insights-driven infrastructure. Black.ai develops robotics and AI sensor infrastructure using 3D depth sensors and tracking systems that recognise shopper movement and which items are picked up or put down. Initially focused on supermarket deployments, the system aims to reduce self-checkout errors (the article cites 3–8% incorrect fresh-food items) and could save stores an estimated $400,000–$600,000 per year through theft prevention and improved stock management. The company is in partnership talks with a major Australian supermarket chain while also pursuing broader applications in city streets, construction sites and fleet robots. Black.ai is building a shared sensor infrastructure so robots can plug in and share data, allowing each bot to sense beyond its own sensors. The founders say large-scale fleet robot adoption is three to five years away and they are positioning the company to capture that market. The startup raised $1.2 million in seed funding to fund hiring, faster product development, scaling and testing of new technologies.

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