Inventory facilities are the critical nodes of supply chain networks. Whether distribution centers, terminals or warehouses, these facilities are highly optimized for maximum throughput at the lowest possible cost. Inside the building, storage areas are separated into fast moving zones for immediate orders and long-term zones for periodic replenishment. Outside the building, inventory sits in containers waiting to be received by the facility, decanted and moved to long-term storage.
Container yards can be messy at best and chaotic at worst. Hundreds of trucks and dozens of loading docks are managed by pen and paper. Accidents are common as trucks are extremely difficult to navigate in tight spaces. Drivers are delayed, detention costs pile up, critical inventory is misplaced, and employee safety is often at risk. Lack of automated controls, opaque data silos, and analog communication make it difficult to efficiently utilize container storage. Inefficient operations create issues that ripple through supply chains and keep container yards from being leveraged to the fullest potential. Container yards are a critical part of any supply chain and a huge opportunity for new technology.
Schematic Ventures invests in supply chain technology that keeps pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Two years after our seed investment, we're thrilled to announce our investment in Outrider: the next generation of container yard operation technology. The Outrider System provides fully autonomous container movement orchestrated by comprehensive management software.
Beyond solving the operational difficulties of hitching, brake lines, and typical movement issues, Outrider unlocks dynamic access to storage outside the facility and expands throughput potential while reducing cost. Visibility to container inventory will be as immediate as inside the facility and control as efficient as the most modern material handling robot.
Across the industry, senior executives from Fortune 100 companies highlighted the importance of what Outrider is doing:
“The biggest factor for a DC [distribution center] is the number of trailer moves. A terminal tractor can move four trailers to every one moved by a Class 8 truck.”
“Automation is a megatrend in the shipping industry which will impact the terminal tractor market. Semi and fully automated trucks will be adopted in the coming years at a growing rate.”
At Schematic, we believe in technology that makes and moves the world. We’re excited by the potential that Outrider brings for improving container yard operations and creating a new category of dynamic storage.