In this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin chats with Andrew Smith, Founder and CEO of Outrider, a pioneer in autonomous yard operations. It’s been five years since Andrew first joined the show, and a lot has changed, both in the industry and at Outrider.

The conversation explores how the company has evolved since emerging from stealth mode, how it integrates AI and deep learning into its solution, and why the yard may be one of the most dangerous, overlooked segments in the supply chain. From enhancing safety and sustainability to streamlining operations, Andrew shares how Outrider is automating the yard by creating autonomous electric trucks that maneuver trailers with centimeter-level precision.

Closing the Gap Between Transportation and the Warehouse

Yard operations have long been overshadowed by automation innovation, but Outrider is changing that. Their focus is on the vital yet hazardous space between over-the-road trucks and the warehouse dock, where containers are shuffled, staged, and prepped for loading and unloading. According to Andrew, “Outrider is the pioneer and leader in autonomous yard operations.” He explains how the company’s electric autonomous trucks receive trailer movement instructions via software and then locate, hitch, maneuver, and position each trailer using onboard sensors and robotic arms.

“And the efficiency and safety and sustainability that we bring to the yard have benefits not just to the companies that operate these yards, but we also get the right trailer to the right loading dock at the right time, driving efficiency inside the warehouse.”

This isn’t small-scale experimentation. Outrider supports yards with anything from hundreds to thousands of trailer moves per day. Their AI-driven systems eliminate the need for human drivers to perform tight maneuvers in harsh conditions, such as snow, rain, and low visibility. This reduces the risk of accidents, particularly during trailer hookups, which are prone to slip-and-fall injuries.

AI in the Physical World: Why Data Makes the Difference

Outrider’s evolution since 2020 has been dramatic. With more than $200 million in investment and partnerships with top tech providers, such as NVIDIA, the company has scaled its technology beyond the early proof-of-concept stage. Andrew shares a striking moment from a recent site visit: “It maneuvered in a way that a human would never even think about doing… and placed the trailer with centimeter accuracy.”

This ability stems from years of AI training data and reinforcement learning, enabling autonomous vehicles to navigate even unpredictable obstructions, such as a poorly parked pickup truck or a misplaced trailer. The trucks aren’t just smart—they’re safe. “We’ve built up a set of over a dozen proprietary safety mechanisms that lay on top of the AI-driven system.” These safeguards ensure that the vehicles can operate reliably even in mixed environments with people, snowbanks, or unexpected obstacles, such as a plastic bag covering a trailer sensor.

Automating Yard Operations Without Leaving People Behind

Outrider’s autonomous yard trucks are built on electric platforms by design. “If there was ever an application for electric vehicles, this is it.” These short-range, high-usage vehicles are ideally suited for electrification, enabling opportunistic charging and reducing maintenance costs. Electrification also makes it easier to manage battery size, thanks to the detailed operational data generated by the autonomous system.

Human workers remain essential to the operation. Outrider’s solution is built with collaboration in mind. Each truck still features a cab, allowing a worker to take over if needed. “We are creating this ultimate tool and addressing this pain point of constant turnover.” In fact, many customers are deploying automation at the same rate as natural attrition, allowing people to shift to safer, more meaningful roles while still supporting operations. Outrider is already working with companies that operate 20% of all yard trucks in North America, and Andrew is confident that their software is well-positioned to become the new industry standard. “The world’s going electric because it is the superior platform.”

Key Takeaways on Automating Yard Operations

• Outrider automates trailer movement in distribution yards using electric autonomous trucks with centimeter-level precision.
• AI and real-time trailer tracking eliminate time-consuming searches for misplaced trailers, speeding up yard operations.
• A built-in robotic arm safely connects and disconnects trailers, reducing the risk of worker injury from hazardous manual tasks.
• Automating yard operations phases in automation at the pace of workforce attrition, helping companies reduce turnover without layoffs.
• Outrider’s platform is already being adopted by companies that operate 20% of all yard trucks in North America.

  Episode 606: Automating yard operations with Outrider