Gatik, Ryder Cooperate on Autonomous MD Fleet

A Ryder technician guides a Gatik autonomous truck with a safety driver behind the wheel into a Ryder maintenance shop near Fort Worth, Texas. (Business Wire)

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Autonomous technology developer Gatik announced it will lease from Ryder System Inc. a fleet of medium-duty, multi-temperature box trucks designed for transporting goods autonomously to retail locations from micro-fulfillment centers or dark stores — distribution centers that cater exclusively to e-commerce.

Palo Alto, Calif.-based Gatik will integrate its commercial-grade autonomous driving technology into the leased fleet, enabling Gatik to provide its Autonomous Delivery as a Service (ADaaS) model to its new and existing customers.

In addition to providing the leased vehicles, Miami-based Ryder will service and maintain the trucks, including calibration of autonomous vehicle sensors and the necessary pre- and post-trip inspections.

Going forward, Gatik reported it will explore opportunities for Ryder to manage the logistics operations of the autonomous fleet as well, allowing Gatik to focus on its unique, end-to-end ADaaS business model and manage long-standing relationships with its customer base.

Ryder technicians inspect one of Gatik’s autonomous trucks at a Ryder maintenance facility. Ryder will service and maintain the trucks, including calibration of autonomous vehicle sensors and the necessary pre- and post-trip inspections. pic.twitter.com/7qTwJzLsL7 — Gatik (@Gatik_AI) October 19, 2021

Gatik noted its latest funding round totaling $85 million includes an investment from Ryder’s corporate venture capital fund RyderVentures. — Transport Topics

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