Meet Zimbabwe’s Pasi William Sachiti, the visionary entrepreneur who owns the UK’s first black-owned driverless car company.
Sachiti is a Zimbabwean-born, British entrepreneur, inventor and he is the founder and CEO of Academy of Robotics, an autonomous technology company which is primarily known for developing street-legal self-driving vehicles and solutions for road maintenance worth more than $100 million, Sachiti is making waves in the automotive industry and revolutionising the way we think about transportation.
Born Pasihapaori Chidziva on May 1, 1985, in Zimbabwe, Sachiti’s journey to success has been anything but ordinary. At the age of 16, he made the bold decision to relocate to the United Kingdom, where he would ultimately pursue his passion for technological innovation.
In 2004, Sachiti took his first step towards entrepreneurial success by founding 123-registration, a domain registration business. Within just one year, the company gained significant recognition and was acquired by a larger corporation. This early triumph laid the foundation for his future endeavours and set the stage for his entrance into the world of technology.
A few years later, Sachiti established Clever Bins, a groundbreaking venture that harnessed the power of solar energy and digital advertising. Clever Bins aimed to transform cities by providing an innovative platform for advertising while simultaneously promoting sustainable practices.
The company quickly gained traction and even caught the attention of the prestigious BBC investment program, Dragons’ Den. Despite not securing funding on the show, Clever Bins continued to thrive, licensing its technology to six countries and local governments before ultimately closing its doors in 2013.
Undeterred by this setback, Sachiti turned his attention to the burgeoning field of driverless cars. Recognizing the immense potential of autonomous vehicles, he co-founded Kar-go, a pioneering start-up that aimed to compete with industry giants like Google and Tesla.
Kar-go set out to develop fully autonomous delivery vehicles, capable of navigating the streets without human intervention. With Sachiti at the helm, the company successfully secured significant investment and established itself as a formidable force in the driverless car industry.
Sachiti’s tireless dedication and innovative thinking caught the attention of investors, propelling Kar-go to new heights. Today, the company boasts a valuation of more than $100 million, making it a trailblazer in the world of autonomous transportation. Kar-go has not only transformed the way we envision the future of delivery services but has also paved the way for diversity and inclusion within the tech industry.
In 2013, William Sachiti founded My City Venue, a digital concierge and holiday company that quickly gained popularity, boasting approximately 1.6 million users. However, this success was just the beginning of Sachiti’s remarkable journey.
While achieving great success with My City Venue, Sachiti’s thirst for knowledge led him to pursue higher education. In 2015, he enrolled at Aberystwyth University in Wales, where he chose to specialise in artificial intelligence and robotics.
Throughout his time at Aberystwyth University, Sachiti continued to flourish and make waves in the field of robotics. His groundbreaking invention of the world’s first artificially intelligent robot librarian, named Hugh, catapulted him into the spotlight. Hugh was capable of engaging in conversations and executing verbal commands, showcasing Sachiti’s innovation and problem-solving abilities. What truly set Hugh apart was its ability to navigate through millions of books in the library, a feat that was previously unimaginable.
Sachiti’s exceptional work did not go unnoticed. In recognition of his achievements, Aberystwyth University awarded him a generous £10,000 grant in 2016. Eager to push the boundaries even further, Sachiti seized this opportunity to establish the Academy of Robotics. The main objective of this vehicle manufacturing company was to develop Kar-go, a groundbreaking driverless car.
Kar-go represents the epitome of technological advancement, combining sophisticated robotics with cutting-edge driverless vehicle technology. Its primary function is to deliver multiple packages autonomously, revolutionising the logistics industry. Sachiti’s visionary approach and relentless pursuit of technological excellence have earned Kar-go nominations for numerous awards since its inception.
