SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 1, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Ike, a developer of
automated trucking technology (also referred to as "self-driving"
or "autonomous" trucking), today announced its "Powered by Ike"
customer program, including partnerships with leading logistics
companies Ryder System, Inc. (NYSE: R), DHL, and NFI. These
industry-leading fleets will be among the first to deploy "level 4"
automated trucks on highways.
As part of the multi-year Powered by Ike program, these fleets,
as well as several others Ike has not yet announced, have
collectively reserved the first 1,000 Class 8 tractors powered by
Ike's technology. Leading up to the launch of a commercial
solution, Ike and its fleet customers are collaborating in several
areas to provide feedback, perform testing, and prepare to launch
and scale up operations.
Ike, founded in 2018 by veterans of Google, Apple, and Uber, is
building technology to automate the safe and reliable
transportation of freight. Ike's vision is for automated trucks to
drive on the highway, handing off loads to truckers in
manually-driven trucks for the journey to and from the interstate.
This approach massively simplifies the technical challenge of
automation, and creates new opportunities for truck drivers to use
their skills and expertise where it matters most, while increasing
fleet utilization to help Ike's customers improve their operating
margins. A Yale University study last
year that analyzed Ike's handoff model concluded that automation
could create 140,000 new local truck driving jobs by 2030
(www.ike.com/impact).
Ike's business model is novel for the industry; instead of
scaling up its own fleet of trucks, Ike is putting technology
directly into the hands of existing fleet operators through a
software subscription model. Ike's fleet customers will buy
vehicles from OEM truck manufacturers with Ike's system of hardware
and software already installed, and pay Ike an annual subscription
fee. Trucks powered by Ike will be capable of operating in
automated driving mode on designated freight routes. Ike plans for
the subscription to include various support services, such as
integration into digital tools to dispatch and manage the automated
trucks, maintenance of new equipment, roadside support, and access
for the physical handoff of freight to truckers.
"We are focused on building technology that will help make
trucking safer and more productive," said Alden Woodrow, CEO and Co-founder of Ike. "We
want to put all our effort behind systems engineering, computer
vision, and validation. Working with these sophisticated fleet
partners allows us to plug Ike's automation solution into huge
existing logistics networks that already know how to move goods
efficiently. Our skill sets are complementary, and we think we can
make the most progress by working together."
"The industry is experiencing major disruption with
ever-escalating consumer and business demands, regulatory and
safety pressures, growth of e-commerce, as well as the rise of the
sharing economy," said Karen Jones,
Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Ryder. "We
are at the forefront of identifying new technology and fleet
advancements, while acting as an extended research and development
arm for our customers. Working with an automation technology leader
such as Ike is a continuation of this journey."
"No industry has gained more prominence in the COVID-19 pandemic
than logistics, with millions stuck at home sheltering-in-place and
relying on delivery of food, medical supplies, and other essential
items," said Jim Monkmeyer,
President, Transportation, DHL Supply Chain North
America. "Ike's automation solution is an excellent
fit for DHL Supply Chain's accelerated digitalization approach, and
will allow us to continue making our customers' supply chains more
secure, flexible, and robust to handle future challenges like the
one we have all faced in 2020."
"Our approach to innovation and the people that deliver
our solutions are key to the customer value that NFI delivers,"
said Ike Brown, President and Vice
Chairman of NFI. "We are excited to add automated trucking
technology to our growing innovation portfolio and accelerate the
supply chain industry, similar to what we have been able to do with
our early adoption of electric vehicles."
About Ike:
Ike is a developer of automated trucking technology. Ike's mission
is to make trucks safer, truckers more valued, and trucking more
productive. Founded by a team of product and engineering leaders
with experience building a wide range of new technologies, Ike has
taken a unique approach to commercialization. In 2018, Ike
announced a licensing agreement with Nuro, a Mountain View-based developer of last mile
delivery vehicles. In 2019 Ike became the first company to submit a
Voluntary Safety Self Assessment to the US Department of
Transportation before testing its automation system on
public roads. Ike has raised more than $52
million from technology investors based in San Francisco and Detroit. www.ike.com
About Ryder:
Ryder System, Inc. (NYSE: R) is a leading logistics and
transportation company. It provides supply chain, dedicated
transportation, and commercial fleet management solutions,
including full service leasing, rental, and maintenance, used
vehicle sales, professional drivers, transportation services,
freight brokerage, warehousing and distribution, e-commerce
fulfillment, and last mile delivery services, to some of the
world's most-recognized brands. Ryder provides services throughout
the United States, Mexico, Canada, and the United Kingdom. In addition, Ryder manages
more than 250,000 commercial vehicles and operates more than 300
warehouses encompassing approximately 55 million square feet. Ryder
is regularly recognized for its industry-leading practices in
third-party logistics, technology-driven innovations, commercial
vehicle maintenance, environmentally friendly solutions, corporate
social responsibility, world-class safety and security programs,
military veteran recruitment initiatives, and the hiring of a
diverse workforce. www.ryder.com
About DHL:
DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL
family of divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics
services ranging from national and international parcel delivery,
e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international
express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain
management. With about 380,000 employees in more than 220 countries
and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses
securely and reliably, enabling global trade flows. With
specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including
technology, life sciences and healthcare, energy, automotive and
retail, a proven commitment to corporate responsibility and an
unrivalled presence in developing markets, DHL is decisively
positioned as "The logistics company for the world".
About NFI:
NFI is a fully integrated North American supply chain solutions
provider headquartered in Camden,
N.J. Privately held by the Brown family since its inception
in 1932, NFI generates more than $2
billion in annual revenue and employs over 13,000
associates. NFI owns facilities globally and operates more than 50
million square feet of warehouse and distribution space. Its
dedicated fleet consists of over 3,000 tractors and 12,500 trailers
operated by 3,000 company drivers and leveraging partnerships with
400 owner operators. NFI has a significant drayage presence at
nearly every major U.S. port, leveraging the services of an
additional 1,500 owner operators. The company's business lines
include dedicated transportation, distribution, brokerage,
transportation management, port drayage, intermodal, global
logistics, and real estate. For more information about NFI, visit
www.nfiindustries.com or call 1-877-NFI-3777.
Media Contact: press@ike.com
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SOURCE Ike