Glīd Technologies, a U.S.-based startup developing autonomous road-to-rail solutions for freight logistics, has closed an oversubscribed US$3.1m pre-seed funding round.
The investment was led by Outlander VC and included participation from Draper U Ventures, Antler, The Veteran Fund, M1C, and several angel investors with interests in infrastructure, defence resilience and climate-related technology.
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The company is focused on addressing inefficiencies in the first mile of freight transport, particularly the movement of containers from ports to rail yards, a phase often associated with congestion, high costs, and logistical delays.
Glīd’s technology enables autonomous, dual-mode vehicles, called Glīders, to travel on both road and rail. These vehicles can move standard freight containers directly onto the rail network without reliance on terminals, drayage trucks or lifting equipment.
The funding will support the transition from research and development to field deployment. Glīd plans to launch GliderM, a manned, hybrid-electric road-to-rail vehicle, into pilot operations in California and Washington by the third quarter of 2025.
The vehicle is designed to move 20-foot containers without the need for cranes or forklifts, aiming to reduce both cost and reliance on manual labour.
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