Gatik has announced plans to implement new safety procedures aimed at establishing standards within the autonomous vehicle (AV) industry. The Silicon Valley-based company, which focuses on autonomous middle-mile logistics, is conducting a comprehensive safety audit prior to the large-scale deployment of its ‘freight-only’ trucks on U.S. roads. These vehicles will operate fully driverless, without any human presence onboard.
The audit will be carried out by Edge Case Research, a Pittsburgh-based specialist in autonomous driving systems, in collaboration with TÜV SÜD, a German organization known for vehicle testing and certification. Edge Case Research will utilize its DevSafeOps process across Gatik’s system development, testing, and safety engineering, while TÜV SÜD will assess the overall approach to deploying the technology.
Gatik CEO Gautam Narang stated, “The validation of our safety case goes beyond a basic review of safety practices and mission statements. We are auditing our complete autonomous ecosystem to ensure safety in the real world, not just on paper. Our goal is to create safer roads for everyone.” He also encouraged other companies in the AV sector to adopt similar transparency measures.
The audit will include over 700 safety portfolios focusing on five key pillars of safety: organizational safety culture, engineering quality, cybersecurity, vehicle security, and compliance with the UL4600 standard for AVs.
Concerns regarding the safety of driverless vehicles remain prevalent, as highlighted by a recent American Automobile Association poll indicating that 66% of respondents express fears about AVs. This initiative comes at a critical time for the industry, especially following a $1.5 million fine imposed on Cruise by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for submitting “incomplete reports” related to an accident involving one of its vehicles. NHTSA deputy administrator Sophie Shulman emphasized the importance of prioritizing safety and transparency in the development of automated driving systems.
Gatik has made significant progress utilizing autonomous Class 3 to 7 trucks—light to medium-duty vehicles—to transport goods between distribution centers and retail locations in Texas, Arkansas, and Ontario, Canada. The company has recently partnered with commercial vehicle manufacturer Isuzu to mass-produce self-driving trucks.
