YMX plans autonomous tractors as a service

Autonomous yard tractor systems company Outrider has partnered with YMX Logistics “to expand the deployment of self-driving, zero-emission yard trucks at YMX customer sites”.

Outrider has made it its mission to bring autonomous yard tractor operations to depots, distribution centres, intermodal terminals and logistics parks across the US. The company has developed technology to drive autonomous tractors safely in mixed traffic environments and robotically connect and disconnect the glad hands for air brakes and electric lines from the trailer. On the certification path, TÜV SÜD has determined that Outrider’s proprietary functional safety approach aligns with its Autonomous Vehicle Conformity Framework requirements.

Outrider has raised over US$250m in funds. The company came out of “stealth mode” in 2020 but has said very little since about where its technology is deployed, other than that fleet rollouts were expected in 2026. A new deal with YMX Logistics changes that position.

YMX Logistics and Outrider have now announced a five-year partnership and commercial agreement that will see YMX “operate and support the Outrider System in large enterprise customers’ yards to deliver safer, more productive supply chain operations.” YMX Logistics provides yard tractors and yard planning software and services for the retail, manufacturing and distribution markets as “end-to-end outsourced yard logistics”. The company operates a fleet of around 200 yard tractors, of which 50 units are electric machines from ­Orange EV.

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