Story of FERNRIDE: Develops Teleoperation Technology for Autonomous Vehicles
Story of FERNRIDE:
Founding and Vision
FERNRIDE, based in Munich, Germany, was founded in 2019 by
Hendrik Kramer, Maximilian Fisser, and Jean-Michael Georg. The company develops
teleoperation technology for autonomous vehicles, enabling human operators to
control trucks remotely. Its focus is on making logistics, agriculture, and
construction safer and more efficient.
Teleoperation as a Solution
With Europe facing a severe shortage of truck
drivers—currently around 400,000 and expected to rise to 2 million by
2026—FERNRIDE’s teleoperation platform offers a practical answer. Operators can
remotely manage multiple trucks simultaneously, bridging the gap between
current trucking and fully autonomous systems.
Early Customers and Operations
FERNRIDE works with major clients like Volkswagen, DB
Schenker, BSH, and HHLA, operating over 1,000 yard trucks across Europe. These
trucks move cargo on private sites, often covering short distances multiple
times a day, where teleoperation is especially effective.
Incremental Approach to Autonomy
Unlike companies rushing into open-road autonomous trucking,
FERNRIDE focuses on private industrial sites first. This strategy allows them
to deploy thousands of trucks, gather operational data, and earn regulatory
trust while incrementally expanding capabilities.
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Challenges in Autonomous Trucking
The autonomous trucking industry has faced significant
hurdles. Companies like TuSimple, Embark, and Nikola have struggled with
technology and workforce issues, highlighting the complexity of moving heavy
trucks at high speeds and predicting dynamic road conditions.
Technology and Expertise
FERNRIDE combines a decade of R&D with expertise from
automotive and autonomous vehicle industries. The team includes senior
professionals from BMW, MAN, Mobileye, and Argo.AI, ensuring a robust
foundation in both hardware and software for teleoperated trucks.
Training and Integration
The company offers professional remote operator training and
detailed playbooks for integrating teleoperation with customer IT systems and
operational processes. Partnerships with vehicle manufacturers strengthen their
hardware capabilities.
Funding and Growth
FERNRIDE has raised $60.8 million in Series A funding from
investors like SpeedInvest, Bayern Kapital, DeepTech & Climate Fonds, 10x
Founders, and corporate backers including DB Schenker and HHLA Next. The funds
will support scaling operations and expanding the teleoperation platform.
Operational Advantages
By starting on private sites, FERNRIDE allows operators to
manage multiple trucks safely and efficiently, improving logistics performance
and addressing driver shortages immediately. Their incremental approach ensures
that both customers and regulators are confident in the technology.
Future Outlook
FERNRIDE aims to gradually expand its teleoperation
technology beyond industrial sites, ultimately enabling wider adoption of
autonomous trucking. By combining data, experience, and regulatory trust, the
company is positioned to transform logistics while addressing the pressing
driver shortage in Europe.
Timeline of FERNRIDE
- 2019
– FERNRIDE founded in Munich, Germany by Hendrik Kramer, Maximilian
Fisser, and Jean-Michael Georg.
- 2019–2021
– Develops teleoperation platform for yard, last-mile, and long-haul
trucks.
- 2021
– Gains first enterprise customers including Volkswagen, DB Schenker, and
HHLA.
- 2022
– Expands operations with over 1,000 teleoperated yard trucks in Europe.
- Series
A Funding – Raises $60.8 million from VC and corporate investors to
scale operations.
- 2023
– Focuses on private industrial sites, deploying multiple trucks per
operator and collecting operational data.
- Training
Programs – Introduces remote operator training and integration
playbooks.
- Future
Goal – Expand teleoperation beyond private sites to gradually achieve
wider autonomous trucking adoption.
