JOST, a leading global producer and supplier of safety-critical systems for the commercial vehicle industry, has entered into a strategic development partnership with the Munich-based company FERNRIDE. Together, the partners want to drive forward important future topics in the logistics sector: Decarbonisation, automation and the search for solutions to the driver shortage are at the heart of the joint activities.
As part of the cooperation project, JOST and FERNRIDE are bundling their expertise and resources to develop scalable technologies that automate the operation of trucks on closed operating domains such as logistics sites and depots. The long-term goal is to solve the challenges of the industry, to realise more productivity for qualified professionals and safety in operations through highly automated solutions in these specialised areas.
“The partnership with FERNRIDE is an important step for us in combining our expertise in safety-relevant vehicle technologies in the truck and trailer sector with innovative autonomous solutions,” explained Michael Fischer, Vice President Product Development at JOST. “Together, we want to help shape the future of logistics and contribute to increasing efficiency and safety in the industry.”
“The logistics industry cannot afford disruptions or downtime from new technology integration. That is why our gradual integration approach is so effective. Success in this industry’s transformation requires collaboration with trusted partners and industry leaders, working together to ensure a smooth, seamless transition,” said Hendrik Kramer, CEO and Co-Founder of FERNRIDE. Thanks to the development partnership with JOST, FERNRIDE benefits from specialised expertise that drives the further development of its solutions.
Increased Efficiency through Innovative Technology
FERNRIDE offers scalable automation solutions for trucking in the yard and port logistics. These solutions increase efficiency, promote sustainable practices, and improve the safety of employees. The company uses a technological approach called ‘human-assisted autonomy’, which allows for remote takeovers of autonomous trucks when necessary. This ensures seamless integration and reliable operations for logistics companies, with one operator overseeing several vehicles at the same time.
FERNRIDE has developed a market-ready solution that can be used immediately in existing logistics processes. The technology has already been successfully used by customers such as Volkswagen, HHLA and DB Schenker in yard and port logistics and helps to optimise operational processes by enabling more flexible use of drivers and increasing productivity and safety.
FERNRIDE’s technological developments and ambitions fit in perfectly with JOST’s goals. The company is already meeting the current challenges of driver shortage, increased efficiency and safety in road transport with pioneering innovations such as the automatic coupling system KKS and the assistance systems King Pin Finder and Drawbar Finder, which support the coupling process with live camera images. By collaborating with FERNRIDE, JOST can expand its expertise in a targeted manner and jointly develop pioneering automation solutions that will further advance these key issues in the commercial vehicle industry.