Munich-based FERNRIDE, a ground autonomy platform, secured an additional €18 million in its Series A extension. This round, led by Helantic, brings the total Series A funding to €75 million. Thomas Müller, former CEO of Hensoldt, also joined FERNRIDE’s Board.
The company, founded in 2019, develops an AI-powered autonomy platform. It delivers scalable automation across industries, including container terminals, yard operations, and open-road trucking. Ultimately, FERNRIDE aims to address driver shortages and safety risks.
Expanding Autonomous Defence Capabilities
This latest funding will expand FERNRIDE's autonomous logistics platform into defence logistics. The company already transforms civilian logistics for customers like HHLA and Volkswagen. Moreover, its technology is deployed in critical European infrastructure.
FERNRIDE combines AI-powered autonomy with human oversight and modular hardware. It delivered Europe's first fully certified autonomous trucking system in 2025. This investment further supports scaling solutions in container terminals and entering defence. Competitors in the autonomous logistics platform market include TuSimple and Kodiak Robotics.
The company prepares to scale its autonomous logistics platform solution in container terminals, following TÜV SÜD safety certification. This enables operations without a safety driver. Consequently, FERNRIDE enhances mission flexibility and protects lives in high-risk zones. Additionally, this reallocates skilled personnel from transport tasks to strategic roles. Therefore, this German startup focuses on critical industries.
