Lidl Tests Driverless Trucks for Product Delivery in Germany

Key summary

German discount supermarket chain Lidl is the first retailer in the country to pilot driverless trucks for transporting goods from warehouses to various branches, following approval from the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA). The company presented the project at the IAA Transportation fair. The electric, driverless trucks, manufactured by Swedish startup Einride, will transport packaged food products that do not require temperature control. The pilot route, 400 meters long, connects a distribution center in Edermünde to a nearby store, with a manned vehicle following behind, as required by KBA regulations. Serhan Yildirim, Head of Logistics at Schwarz Group, the parent company, stated that the project addresses the expected shortage of truck drivers, which is projected to exceed 100,000 by 2030. After the pilot project is completed, Lidl plans to expand the routes to several stores, but nationwide deployment may take several more years or may not happen. Lidl's trucks operate at Level 4 automation, while competitors such as dm use semi-autonomous systems, and Rewe uses self-driving vans with manned safety drivers. Currently, Europe has fewer than 100 driverless vans and fewer than 10 driverless trucks.