Automated Truck Developer Gatik to Make Kroger Deliveries
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Autonomous technology developer Gatik is partnering with grocery store chain Kroger for deliveries via automated medium-duty trucks in the Dallas area.
The refrigerated 20-foot box trucks will operate seven days per week — initially with safety drivers onboard — and will make multiple delivery runs daily via a continuous loop from Kroger’s Dallas distribution center to stores in the region, Gatik said in a March 15 news release. The program is set to launch in the second quarter of this year.
Gatik already has more than 25 trucks on the road in Texas for customers that include Pitney Bowes, Georgia-Pacific and KBK. It also has operations in Arkansas and Ontario. Since its commercial launch in 2019, Gatik has delivered 500,000 customer orders via its Classes 3-6 trucks, it said.
“Kroger’s commitment to redefining service levels for its customers through innovative technology meant that our collaboration came together very quickly,” said Gautam Narang, Gatik co-founder and CEO. “We’re deeply familiar with operating our autonomous fleet within the Dallas ecosystem, and we’re very excited to bring that experience to support Kroger in its mission to reshape the future of goods delivery.”
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“We are so excited to see Gatik trucks starting to deliver groceries throughout our Dallas division,” added Raúl Bujalil, Kroger’s vice president of supply chain strategy and technology enablers. “These autonomous box trucks will help us continue our commitment to creating a seamless shopping experience — where customers can access their favorite fresh foods, with zero compromise on value or convenience.”
Gatik was founded in 2017, and has operations in Mountain View, Calif., and Toronto. Its autonomous trucking facility is located in Dallas. The company’s other industry partners include Cummins, Ryder, Goodyear and Isuzu. Other customers include Walmart and Loblaw, it said.
Kroger ranks No. 25 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest private carriers in North America.
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