How the Technology Works in Real-World Scenarios
Josh Mackanic, a former Pacific Gas and Electric engineer with a decade of experience, founded a startup to create a detailed map of underground utilities after repeatedly encountering unknown pipes and cables during excavation work. His frustration grew after a project was halted when an unmapped pipe was discovered just in time to avoid damage. The company, which has just secured a $26 million Series A funding round, aims to reduce costly delays and safety risks by providing accurate subsurface data to contractors and municipalities.
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Apple’s New CEO Renames Lake Ontario To Lake America In Maps AppThe idea originated from Mackanic’s firsthand experience with the dangers and inefficiencies of working blind beneath city streets. He realized that utility companies often lack comprehensive, up-to-date records of what lies underground, leading to accidental strikes, service disruptions, and expensive repairs. His startup uses a combination of sensor data, historical records, and AI-driven modeling to generate dynamic, accessible maps that update as new information becomes available. The goal is to create a „Google Maps for the underground” that workers can access in the field via mobile devices or augmented reality tools.
Can This Reduce the Cost of Urban Construction?
The platform integrates data from multiple sources, including ground-penetrating radar, municipal databases, and past project reports, to build a layered view of subsurface assets. Unlike static maps, the system continuously refines its accuracy as new digs are performed and verified. Mackanic explained that during one test in Northern California, the system correctly identified a decommissioned gas line that had been omitted from official records, preventing a potential leak. Contractors using the tool have reported fewer work stoppages and faster project timelines, particularly in dense urban areas where infrastructure is oldest and most poorly documented.
Industry estimates suggest that utility strikes cost the U. S. economy billions annually in repairs, delays, and downtime. By improving visibility underground, Mackanic’s startup aims to cut those expenses significantly. Early adopters include municipal public works departments and private construction firms involved in road repairs, fiber-optic laying, and water main replacements. The $26 million Series A will be used to expand the engineering team, enhance the AI algorithms, and scale deployment across additional cities in California and beyond. The company also plans to partner with utility providers to encourage data sharing, which remains a key challenge in achieving nationwide coverage.
How does the startup ensure the accuracy of its underground maps? The system combines real-time sensor inputs with historical data and machine learning to verify and update subsurface features, improving precision with each validated excavation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the primary users of this technology? The main users are construction contractors, city planners, and utility companies involved in digging projects who need reliable information to avoid damaging buried infrastructure.
What happens if a utility company refuses to share its data? The startup can still generate useful maps using alternative sources like public records, geophysical surveys, and crowd-sourced dig data, though accuracy improves with broader participation.