Gatik plans AV expansion in Canada

Core Insights - Gatik and Loblaw are expanding their autonomous truck operations in the Toronto area, transitioning from pilot to commercial scale with a significant increase in the number of autonomous vehicles (AVs) deployed [8] - The partnership aims to enhance logistics efficiency by delivering food and household items to 300 retail locations across nine municipalities [3][4] - Ontario has initiated a 10-year pilot program to oversee automated commercial vehicle technology, allowing Gatik's trucks to operate safely on all surface streets and highways [5] Company Developments - Gatik will deploy 20 AVs this year and plans to increase that number to 30 by the end of 2026, operating 12 hours a day, seven days a week [8] - The partnership is backed by a five-year deal with investment from Loblaw, indicating strong corporate support for autonomous logistics [4] - Gatik's CEO highlighted this expansion as a significant milestone for major retailers transitioning to commercial-scale autonomous truck operations [8] Industry Trends - Other AV companies, such as Aurora Innovation and Waabi, are also expanding their operations in the U.S., particularly in states like Texas, which has a favorable regulatory environment for AV testing [6][7] - The trend towards autonomous logistics is gaining momentum, with companies looking to enhance delivery efficiency and reduce reliance on human drivers [4][6]