Munich-based FERNRIDE, which develops AI-powered autonomous vehicle systems for industrial and defence logistics, has raised an additional €18 million in its Series A extension, bringing total funding to €75 million.
- FERNRIDE was established in 2019 by Hendrik Kramer. The company develops a comprehensive AI-powered ground autonomy platform that enables vehicles to operate autonomously across a range of industrial and defence environments.
- Its technology combines modular, vehicle-agnostic hardware with software that allows for human oversight, rapid deployment, and seamless integration into existing operations.
- The platform is applied in container terminals, yard operations, open-road trucking, and defence logistics, automating repetitive, high-risk transport tasks while improving efficiency and safety.
- Vehicles equipped with FERNRIDE’s system can navigate complex environments, coordinate with human operators when needed, and operate without a safety driver where certified, such as in container terminals.
- The company’s approach allows organizations to reallocate personnel from routine transport roles to more strategic tasks while maintaining operational control and safety.
Details of the deal
- The round was supported by Helantic, a European defense VC firm, Thomas Müller, existing shareholders, and several new strategic investors, family offices, and venture capital firms.
“FERNRIDE’s technology has already proven itself in civilian logistics, and its high potential to protect lives and strengthen Europe’s defence forces is undeniable. This is exactly the kind of Made-in-Germany innovation we need to ensure technological sovereignty," Thomas Müller, Investor in the round, commented.
- FERNRIDE plans to use the €18 million in fresh funding to expand its autonomous logistics platform into European defence, scaling dual-use solutions, deploying AI-powered ground autonomy in defence operations, enhancing mission flexibility, addressing personnel shortages, and protecting lives in high-risk zones.
"With this new investment, we’ll expand our technology platform to serve defence logistics, ensuring safer operations, addressing personnel shortages, and ultimately protecting lives. Now we’re stepping up to serve European defence forces with the same mission: protect lives, boost resilience, and put humans back in control, just not always behind the wheel," claims Hendrik Kramer, CEO and Co-founder of FERNRIDE.
