Global logistics provider Nippon Express recently invested in Gatik, which specializes in autonomous middle-mile logistics, via its NX Global Innovation Fund in a strategic move Gatik maintains will accelerate the deployment of its self-driving commercial vehicle technology in North America.
Concentrated on the often-overlooked routes between distribution centers, fulfillment centers, and retail locations, Gatik’s solution addresses challenges like driver shortages and supply chain inefficiencies, resulting in faster deliveries and reduced costs, the company said. Gatik already is operating an autonomous transportation network in regions such as Texas and Arkansas in the U.S., and Ontario, Canada; and expanding its business with U.S. retailers such as Walmart and Kroger, as well as food and beverage manufacturers and other shippers that handle daily commodities and food products.
Recent investment partnerships with Isuzu Motors and Itochu further accelerate this transformation, underscoring the industry’s confidence in Gatik’s “safe, transparent, and regulator-approved” approach to middle-mile autonomy.
“Middle-mile autonomy is undoubtedly the first application in autonomous trucking to achieve scale in commercial applications,” Gautam Narang, Gatik co-founder and CEO, said in a news release. “It’s also critical for solving the most pressing logistics issues businesses are facing today, ensuring faster deliveries, addressing growing labor shortages, reducing costs, and meeting the rising demand for goods in this era of rapid e-commerce growth.”
Gatik’s efforts are compatible with Nippon’s business model, the company reported. By establishing capital ties with Gatik, the Japanese firm—with U.S. headquarters outside Chicago, Illinois—Nippon seeks to “deepen its knowledge of the cutting-edge autonomous trucking business.”
“Our investment partnership with NX Group is a testament to the impact we’re making in North America and the confidence of global partners in our ability to meet the evolving needs of our customers,” Narang concluded.
