Einride starts first commercial daily autonomous freight operation

Swedish freight technology company Einride, specializing in sustainable and autonomous vehicle solutions, has achieved a European milestone by launching the continent’s first daily commercial autonomous freight operation.

Partnering with online pharmacy Apotea, Einride’s autonomous trucks now transport goods between the retailer’s warehouses in Morgongåva, Sweden, and so officially move to the road network.

The operation involves a fully autonomous heavy-duty truck, which is still overseen by remote operators in the control center in Gothenburg. The truck navigates routes that include sections adjacent to public roads. This breakthrough marks a significant advancement in autonomous logistics and was facilitated by a special permit from the Swedish Transport Agency.

Higher vehicle utilization

Henrik Green, General Manager of Einride Autonomous Technologies, emphasized the innovation behind this deployment: “Our autonomous technology, powered by machine learning, enables higher vehicle utilization and safer freight operations.

This partnership with Apotea represents the first daily commercial autonomous freight operation in Europe and showcases how Einride’s ecosystem can optimize entire logistics flows.”

The autonomous vehicle operates without a driver onboard, relying on advanced navigation systems, including radar, LiDAR, and 360-degree camera sensors. Remote operators are ready to assist if needed.

“Major step”

The new autonomous route spans approximately 800 meters between two Apotea warehouses. It is a short length, indeed, but it symbolizes a pivotal moment for autonomous freight and provides a platform from which real-world logistics scenarios can be built. This small step for Einride could prove a big one for a sector continuously desperate to find the necessary drivers.

Einride and Apotea have collaborated for two years, focusing on streamlining logistics while simultaneously reducing emissions. Apotea’s CEO and founder, Pär Svärdson, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership’s next phase: “This is a major step toward automating various parts of our logistics chain, making deliveries even more efficient.” In their press release, the companies claim that their combined efforts have saved over 917,000 kilograms of CO2 emissions to date, equivalent to twenty electric laps around the Earth.

The U.S. first, then Europe

Initially restricted to controlled environments like industrial sites and ports, Einride’s autonomous operations have now moved onto open roads. The partnership with Apotea marks Einride’s second commercial autonomous operation globally, following a similar deployment in the United States with GE Appliances.

Einride’s journey began with the launch of its cabless, electric autonomous vehicle prototype, the T-pod. Over the years, the company has expanded its operations, integrating traditional electric trucks and digital freight platforms while steadily advancing its autonomous vehicle capabilities.

Scaling up for the future

Green highlighted the importance of scalability for the success of autonomous freight: “For profitability, remote operators must oversee multiple vehicles simultaneously. This efficiency is the cornerstone of making autonomous freight viable at scale.”

Einride’s progress in Sweden is part of its broader strategy to redefine freight logistics. With operations now spanning Europe, the U.S., and the Middle East, Einride continues to secure partnerships with global giants, including PepsiCo, Heineken, and DP World.