Glid Technologies and rail operator Mendocino Railway have sealed a strategic alliance to bring autonomous freight technology to Northern California, improving freight transportation in the Willits-Fort Bragg corridor.
With deployment planned for 2025, the collaboration will leverage the 64-kilometer Skunk Train rail route to test multimodal logistics solutions that promise to transform the distribution model in rural areas.
The alliance between Glid and Mendocino Railway
Glid will integrate its road-to-rail vehicles, such as the Glider M(manned hybrid) and AR2RV (autonomous), into Mendocino Railway’s daily operations. These systems eliminate the need for cranes and forklifts, making the transit of goods from origin to destination more efficient. By incorporating artificial intelligence through its EZRA-1SIX platform, the system seeks to adapt to variable routes and minimize the carbon footprint impact of traditional transportation.
This agreement contemplates the rehabilitation of unused railroad tracks, the creation of specialized employment and a public-private cooperation strategy that seeks state and federal support. At the core of the project is the vision of returning rail to a leading role in regional mobility, with a focus on sustainability and local benefit.
Glid’s experience, backed by experts from SpaceX and Google, joins Mendocino Railway’s century-long track record to build a resilient, clean logistics network adapted to new market demands.
The implementation of Glider M on rail routes. Source: Glid
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Source and photo: Glid
