Computer vision and geo-spatial mapping firm, Machines With Vision, has raised £2.6 million amid plans to scale operations.

The Edinburgh-based startup revealed the investment will be used to support ongoing product development and drive sales growth.

The firm also plans to bring on a number of new hires across engineering operations.

Old College Capital, the University of Edinburgh’s in-house venture investment fund, former Skyscanner CEO and co-founder Gareth Williams, and Olaf Hesse, one of the company’s commercial team, also participated in the round.

The funding boost marks the second major investment for Machines With Vision in three years. In April 2019, the firm raised £1.3 million as part of a seed funding round.

Machines With Vision

Machines With Vision uses sensor technology to create detailed visual maps of ground surfaces for transport vehicles, such as trains.

The firm says its sensor technology enables network operators to identify faults and defects, enhancing predictive maintenance and boosting vehicle sustainability.

Currently, the Edinburgh startup counts Deutsche Bahn and Network Rail among several high profile clients.

Commenting on the funding, CEO and co-founder Anthony Ashbrook said: “We are at the forefront of using data to radically improve the efficiency of railways and on the back of this investment round, we’re excited to bring more people on board to deliver on this vision.

“Transport accounts for almost a quarter of global CO2 emissions, so moving travel by air and road to railways is essential for sustainability.”

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Aidan MacMillan, Senior Investment Manager at Par Equity added: “The fact that two of Europe’s largest railway infrastructure players are already using the technology developed by Machines With Vision gives you an idea of how far Anthony and his team have already progressed, and we are really pleased to be supporting the company through its next phase of growth and the commercial opportunities opening up for the business.”