Gatik, an autonomous freight logistics firm, and Canadian retailer Loblaw Companies Ltd said on Tuesday they will deploy 50 autonomous trucks over the next five years in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), expanding a partnership first launched in 2022.
The deal, described as the largest planned rollout of autonomous trucks in North America, will see 20 vehicles equipped with advanced sensors enter service by late 2025, with 30 more added in 2026.
Initially operated with safety drivers, the fleet is expected to transition to driverless operations as part of Ontario’s new Automated Commercial Motor Vehicle pilot program, which began in August.
Loblaw said its investment will support Gatik’s fleet growth and expansion into new markets. The trucks, designed for regional distribution, include cold-chain-ready models to deliver groceries and household goods to more than 300 Loblaw stores. “This agreement is a transformational moment for autonomous trucking, showcasing the reliability, safety, and scalability of our technology,” Gatik CEO Gautam Narang said.
The companies said the expanded partnership will help address driver shortages while improving delivery efficiency. Ontario’s regulatory framework allows Gatik’s medium-duty trucks to operate on provincial highways and city streets. Gatik, founded in 2017, also runs autonomous freight services in the U.S. with partners including Isuzu Motors, NVIDIA and Goodyear.