The Kroger Co. says it saw success across its Dallas distribution network with respect to autonomous trucking operations over the past eight months.
Kroger and Gatik AI recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Dallas to celebrate the progress made between the two companies since local autonomous trucking operations began in early 2023, as reported by The Dallas Express.
The two companies also commemorated the launch of a multi-year commercial collaboration which will see Gatik’s medium-duty autonomous box trucks transport and deliver fresh products from Kroger’s fulfillment center in Dallas to its multiple retail locations.
“You are changing the world,” said District 8 Council Member Tennell Atkins, Dallas’ mayor pro tem, during a ceremony last week with officials from the Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Department of Transportation.
“We are looking at the 21st century. Gatik and Kroger’s cutting-edge partnership is making an impact in Dallas and throughout the state of Texas. I thank you for your collaboration,” he added.
Gatik, a business-to-business logistics firm, was founded in Silicon Valley by Arjun Narang, CEO Guatam Narang, and chief engineer Apeksha Kumavat. Its focus is on short-haul runs for Fortune 500 companies, including Kroger, Walmart, Tyson Foods, Loblaw, and Pitney Bowes.
Over the past year, Gatik has made delivery runs multiple times per day, seven days per week across its Dallas distribution network, according to the release.
By partnering with Gatik, Kroger says operations have increased the speed, responsiveness, and frequency of e-commerce orders.
“Kroger is committed to creating a seamless shopping experience for our customers – whether that’s through home delivery, a store pick-up or shopping in the store, and our collaboration with Gatik enables us to continue and enhance that experience,” said Ben Hamilton, vice president of Logistics and Engineering Network Strategy at Kroger.
“What has always been important to customers is that they get what they need on time. But what we have seen through this collaboration is that as important as it is to be on time, it is also really important to have good customer service.”
Gatik emphasized the effect that support from officials in Texas has had on its rollout of an autonomous delivery system and partnership with Kroger.
“Texas is at the center of Gatik’s commercial growth strategy, so we’re very pleased to see the tangible benefits of our autonomous trucking solution realized through our partnership with Kroger,” said Gatik’s Narang.
“The support we’ve received from state and local officials throughout our journey in Texas has been phenomenal, and we’re excited to continue safely scaling our industry-leading Freight-Only operations in the state.”
The partnership between the two companies “underscores the state’s commitment to fostering technological innovation, advancing the development of a high-performance transportation ecosystem, and ensuring unparalleled economic growth across the state’s supply chain,” noted the news release.
Through 2025, Gatik is projected to achieve freight-only operations at scale, deploying the company’s autonomous trucks without human drivers.
In November, The Dallas Express reported that Aurora has opened what it says is the industry’s first lane for driverless trucks through terminals in Dallas and Houston supported by its commercial-ready terminals. Expected to operate around the clock, Aurora’s trucks are set to haul more than 75 loads a week for its pilot customers.
Update: This article was updated December 18 to reflect additional information.
