YMX and Outrider Bring Autonomous Driving to Electric Yard Trucks

The logistics company YMX has signed a five-year commercial agreement with autonomous technology developer Outrider to deploy self-driving electric yard trucks at large enterprise customer sites. The rollout is slated to begin this year, with YMX operating the autonomous Outrider System on its fleet of all-electric Orange EV Class 8 yard trucks. The move addresses a persistent nationwide shortage of qualified yard operators while cutting emissions at the same time.

The partnership is built on a shared platform that simplifies deployment. Because Outrider developed its autonomous driving system around the same Orange EV electric yard truck that YMX already uses, enterprise customers can adopt both automation and electrification without needing to become experts in either. YMX CEO Matt Yearling said the self-driving trucks are a strategic addition to the company’s Autonomous Yard Operating System, expanding how technology is used to execute yard operations and create customer value. He cited Outrider’s safety approach, AI capabilities across varied yard environments, and operational maturity as key reasons for the selection.

The autonomous setup relies on LiDAR, radar, and cameras feeding an AI-powered perception system running on NVIDIA DRIVE hardware. This combination provides 360-degree situational awareness, allowing the trucks to identify, track, and navigate around trailers, other trucks, pallets, and people. Outrider’s proprietary software handles the actual driving. Notably, even though off-highway autonomy does not require NHTSA certification, TÜV SÜD—a globally recognized independent testing organization—determined that Outrider’s functional safety aligns with its Autonomous Vehicle Conformity Framework requirements.

The agreement reflects a broader push among large shippers to streamline complex yard operations. Many supply chain executives and site personnel are eager for safer, more productive yards, but they often lack the time and resources to evaluate and deploy new technologies on their own. YMX and Outrider aim to give those customers a turnkey path to scale physical AI across their yards. Andrew Smith, CEO of Outrider, noted that YMX has built an exceptional business around delivering integrated technology and operating services to enterprise customers.

With diesel fuel prices sitting at a national average of $6.38 per gallon, the shift to electric yard trucks also offers a shield against volatile fuel costs. By combining zero-emission vehicles with autonomous operation, YMX and Outrider are positioning their customers to benefit from both automation and electrification through a single, straightforward service.