Tyre maker Goodyear has invested in autonomous trucking company Gatik and collaborating to enhance safety and efficiency for autonomous middle kilometre logistics.

The collaboration combines Gatik’s commercial-grade autonomous technology with tyre intelligence technology powered by Goodyear SightLine.

The goal is to advance the development of mobility for the autonomous B2B short-haul logistics industry. The collaboration aims to contribute to safer, more sustainable goods movement while reducing costs for Gatik’s customers in the B2B short-haul market nationwide.

“By leveraging our advanced tyre intelligence, Goodyear can help improve vehicle performance and safety in autonomous transportation,” said Chris Helsel, Goodyear senior vice president. “Together, Goodyear and Gatik will combine our innovative technologies to help bring more efficiency in the increasingly important middle mile segment.”

Gatik has established an autonomous middle kilometre logistics network in North America and is expanding its fleet of Class 3-6 autonomous box trucks for users in multiple markets, including Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Ontario.

“The benefits of Goodyear’s tyre intelligence technology are grounded in enhancing safety, increasing efficiency and reducing costs, principles which are absolutely fundamental to Gatik’s mission and success,” said Arjun Narang, CTO of Gatik. “This collaboration will enable us to further increase the value we offer our customers across the continent and help define new standards in safety and sustainability for the B2B short-haul sector.” 

Under the collaboration, Goodyear’s venture capital fund, Goodyear Ventures, participated in Gatik’s recently announced series B funding and the companies will work on multiple projects.

“Gatik’s mission to deliver goods safely and efficiently using autonomous vehicles aligns with our investment strategy, making them a great addition to our portfolio, which already includes key autonomous delivery players in the long-haul and last-mile delivery markets,” said Abhijit Ganguly, managing director of Goodyear Ventures. “We believe this investment is a strong strategic fit for Goodyear as we seek to learn more about the implications of autonomous technologies in middle mile delivery and logistics.”

Gatik’s medium-duty fleet will use tyres equipped with tyre intelligence technology powered by Goodyear SightLine, a suite of tyre intelligence products, building on Goodyear’s existing connected tyre management products to improve stopping distances in autonomous commercial vehicles and monitor tyre pressure in real time for enhanced safety and reduced wear.

As Gatik commercialises its operations at scale, the use of tyre intelligence technology is expected to help reduce fuel and maintenance costs while increasing operational efficiencies for retailers, ecommerce companies and distributors using Gatik’s autonomous vehicles.

Goodyear employs about 72,000 people and manufactures its products in 55 facilities in 23 countries around the world. Its two innovation centres in Ohio, and Luxembourg strive to develop products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry.

Gatik focuses on short-haul, B2B logistics for Fortune 500 retailers such as Walmart and Loblaw. Its Class 3-6 autonomous box trucks are live for users in multiple markets including Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Ontario. Founded in 2017 by veterans of the autonomous technology industry, the company has offices in Palo Alto and Toronto.