Embark announced a partnership with Ryder aimed at launching a nationwide network of up to 100 Embark transfer points, where Ryder will provide yard operations, maintenance, and fleet management to support a seamless coast-to-coast autonomous network for Embark fleet partners.<\/p>\n\n
Through the partnership, embark will establish a network of strategically located transfer points\u2014where freight is moved from driverless long-haul trucks to driver-enabled trucks for first- and last-mile delivery. Ryder will operate these transfer point sites providing a comprehensive and consistent set of support services (yard operations, pre-trip inspections, maintenance, etc.) to Embark fleet partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\nFounded in 2016, San Francisco-based Embark helps carriers enable self-driving trucks within their fleet through its software. Embark, which calls itself the oldest self-driving truck firm in the United States, said the proceeds were expected to fund its business through 2024.<\/p>\n\n
Embark was co-founded by Alex Rodrigues, who started building robots at age 11, and Brandon Moak, who Rodrigues first met and collaborated with while studying mechatronics engineering at the University of Waterloo. They built Canada’s first self-driving vehicle – an autonomous golf cart named “Marvin”- out of Rodrigues’ garage.<\/p>\n\n
Since 2016, Embark has raised over $117M in funding, including WI Harper\u2019s participation in its Series A round in November 2016, and the subsequent Series A+ & B rounds invested alongside DCVC, Sequoia, and other great investors. In June, Embark announced that it will merge with blank-check firm Northern Genesis Acquisition Corp II at a $5.2 billion valuation and will list publicly on the NYSE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n