Gatik’s Self-Driving Box Trucks Revolutionize Middle-Mile Grocery Logistics
Autonomous vehicle startup Gatik is taking its middle-mile delivery expertise north of the border. Fresh off a $25 million Series A funding round, the company has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Canadian retail giant Loblaw to deploy self-driving box trucks for grocery deliveries in Toronto.
Key Details of the Loblaw Partnership
- Launch Date: January 2021 (following a successful 10-month pilot)
- Fleet Size: 5 autonomous box trucks
- Operation: 7 days a week across 5 public road routes
- Safety Protocol: All vehicles will include human safety drivers
- Historical Significance: Marks Canada’s first autonomous delivery fleet
“With Canadians increasingly turning to online grocery shopping, we’re optimizing our supply chain through middle-mile autonomous delivery,” explained Lauren Steinberg, Senior VP at Loblaw Digital. “This Toronto deployment allows us to efficiently transport goods from our automated picking facility to stores multiple times daily, keeping pace with PC Express online orders.”
Why Gatik’s Middle-Mile Approach Stands Out
Unlike consumer-focused autonomous delivery services, Gatik specializes in B2B logistics:
- Strategic Focus: Connects distribution centers to retail locations
- Vehicle Specifications: Ford Transit 350 trucks equipped with:
- Refrigeration units
- Lift gates
- Proprietary autonomous driving software
“Retailers recognize that middle-mile logistics between automated facilities and stores represent their greatest inefficiencies,” said Gautam Narang, Gatik CEO and co-founder. “This is precisely where we deliver immediate value. We’re thrilled to help Loblaw optimize this critical supply chain component.”
Funding and Growth Trajectory
Gatik’s innovative approach has attracted:
- Major Clients: Including Walmart
- Investors: Wittington Ventures and Innovation Endeavors (Series A co-leaders)
- Total Funding: $29.5 million to date
The company plans to:
- Expand North American operations
- Grow teams in Palo Alto and Toronto
- Develop new retail partnerships
- Increase fleet deployments
Industry Impact and Future Outlook
Gatik reports completing over 30,000 revenue-generating autonomous deliveries across North America. The company observed a 30-35% order volume increase in 2020 and anticipates continued growth.
“We’re committed to making autonomous delivery mainstream,” Narang stated. “Our technology creates substantial supply chain efficiencies for retailers throughout North America and beyond.”
This Canadian expansion represents a significant milestone in autonomous logistics, demonstrating how strategic middle-mile solutions can transform retail supply chains in the e-commerce era.
