The automation of vehicles is increasingly becoming the new norm. As the demand and need for autonomous technology increase day by day, various startups have sprung up to innovate and revolutionize the transportation industry as we know it.
One such company at the forefront is Einride, a Swedish company led by entrepreneur and CEO Robert Falck. Founded in 2016, Einride’s origin story is said to have begun as a dream of realizing a future fueled by autonomy and electrification.
To fulfill this dream, Einride has developed the Pod, an all-electric and autonomous transport vehicle. Powered by Autonomous Electric Transport (AET) and a Freight Mobility Platform, the Pod is capable of freight shipping on public roads without a driver on board. The Pod can also be remotely monitored and operated if need be.
“This is transport like you have never seen it before,” Einride says. “Technology doesn’t get cooler than this.”
Aside from looking sleek and featuring improved aerodynamics courtesy of rounded edges, Einride states that the Pod is designed to be “refined for the next generation.”
“The design of the new Pod reflects our changing identity as a company,” Linnéa Kornehed, CMO and co-founder of Einride explains. “With our recent brand identity project, a central focus was on the symbiotic relationship between software and hardware in freight mobility. It’s a symbol of our accomplishments in pioneering the category of AET, but also emphasizes our commitment to developing software solutions that make the transition to sustainable freight seamless.”
Currently, the Pod has four autonomous capability levels. AET 1 (Fenced) is for private facilities such as shipping docks and distribution warehouses, where the Pod will operate fully-autonomously along predetermined routes. AET 2 (Nearby) builds upon AET 1 to include Fenced operations in addition to the capability of driving on public roads in short distances.
AET 3 (Rural) enables the Pod to operate on backroads and routes with minimal traffic at a maximum speed of 45 km/h. The highest autonomous level is AET 4 (Highway), which allows for operation on highways and major roads at speeds of 85 km/h.
Einride is currently accepting orders for the Pod in AET 1 and 2 with AET 3 and 4 set to become available in roughly two or three years. One of the most prominent customers for the Pod is Oatly, a vegan food brand that offers plant-based milk and daily products.
All images in this article are courtesy of Einride.
