Gatik AI is expanding its Class 3–6 lineup with Class 7 autonomous trucks in northwest Arkansas to serve Tyson Foods locations.
“This is a significant moment for Gatik as we introduce Class 7 autonomous box trucks into our fleet,” Gatik CEO and co-founder Gautam Narang.
The multiyear partnership involves autonomous reefer box trucks that will operate 18 hours a day, delivering food products to the company’s distribution and storage facilities in the Rogers and Springdale areas, the release said.
Tyson aims to develop a more responsive and flexible logistics network to support “fast and efficient product flow,” the company said in an email to Trucking Dive. This includes reducing transportation costs and supporting sustainability objectives, such as improved fuel efficiencies.
“Still in the pilot phase, it has the potential to save the company up to $900,000 a year,” Tyson said of the autonomous initiative.
The Tyson deployment in northwest Arkansas began with one Gatik truck, and three more will be added in coming months, Tyson said in the email. A safety driver will be onboard the truck initially in case manual operating is needed.
The companies said the partnership began this month and could expand to other locations in the future.
Gatik’s box trucks are already deployed in multiple markets in North America, such as Texas and Ontario, Canada. In Arkansas, Gatik began its driver-out operations in 2021, hauling goods for Walmart.
