Gatik, a provider of autonomous freight for regional logistics networks, has announced a significant expansion of its commercial partnership with Loblaw, Canada’s largest retailer.
Marking a milestone for the autonomous trucking industry, the companies have signed a first-of-its-kind, multi-year growth agreement to deploy Gatik’s autonomous fleet across Loblaw’s distribution network in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Under the initial phase of the expansion, 20 autonomous trucks equipped with Gatik’s next generation sensor suite will be deployed by the end of 2025, with a further 30 autonomous trucks to be deployed by the end of 2026, creating a scalable platform for future growth phases.
This growth agreement signifies the largest planned roll-out of autonomous trucks in North America, a move that transitions Gatik and Loblaw from initial deployment to commercial operations at scale, an industry-first in the autonomous vehicle (AV) sector.
The expanded fleet will initially be deployed with safety drivers onboard, before transitioning to Freight-Only (driverless) operations across Loblaw’s regional distribution networks in the GTA, delivering goods with greater frequency and responsiveness to over 300 Loblaw stores.
Under the expanded partnership, Loblaw has made a strategic investment in Gatik, strengthening Loblaw’s commitment to scaling Gatik’s autonomous solution within its extensive supply chain and helping to rapidly accelerate fleet expansion and geographic growth within Loblaw’s priority markets.
Gatik and Loblaw previously made history in 2022 with the deployment of Canada’s first driverless commercial fleet, setting the foundation for today’s historic expansion.
“This is a transformational moment, not just for Gatik and Loblaw, but for the autonomous trucking sector globally,” said Gautam Narang, CEO and co-founder of Gatik.
“It’s the first time a major retailer has transitioned from pilot to commercial scale with autonomous trucks, directly addressing Canada’s growing driver shortage, delivering the true benefits of autonomous logistics – reliability, safety and scalability – to millions of Canadians.
“Loblaw’s investment is a powerful endorsement of our market-leading AI Driver, Gatik’s purpose-built technology that has logged extensive miles on public roads while maintaining an exemplary safety record, and underscores our commitment to revolutionising regional distribution through intelligent, autonomous solutions.”
Loblaw Companies Limited Chief Administrator Rob Wiebe recognised the expanded partnership as a significant step forward in its commitment to innovation and supply chain sustainability.
“Autonomous logistics will enable us to move more orders more frequently for our customers,” said Wiebe.
“We are excited to continue leading the way nationally in retail distribution with Gatik’s groundbreaking technology which has already been proven across our operations.”
This expansion leverages Gatik’s proprietary Gatik Driver, “a scalable and interpretable AI driver” purpose-built for autonomous trucks proven in real-world commercial operations per a company statement.
The new fleet will include cold chain-ready vehicles optimised for the movement of time-sensitive grocery and household items.
In preparation for Gatik’s multi-year expansion with Loblaw, Gatik worked closely with the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) to inform the development of the Automated Commercial Motor Vehicle (ACMV) Pilot Program, a new provincial regulatory framework that recently launched on 1 Aug, 2025 and enables the operation of Gatik’s medium-duty autonomous trucks on all surface streets and highways in the province.
With the ACMV Program now in effect, Gatik and Loblaw are well positioned to continue to scale autonomous driving operations.
The ACMV Program has been carefully developed to facilitate the safe and rapid roll-out of autonomous trucks in Ontario, ensuring that the province continues to lead the way nationally in transportation innovation.
Gatik’s regional network approach with Freight-Only (driverless) operations underway in markets such as Texas, Ontario, Arkansas and Arizona.
Last year Isuzu Motors agreed to further enhance the development of the North American autonomous driving business announcing it would invest US$30 million in Gatik.
The agreement between the two companies focuses on the development of middle mile autonomous driving and will include the design and development of a new chassis that ensures safety when equipped with an autonomous driving system.
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