FERNRIDE, Europe’s leading provider of AI-powered ground autonomy solutions, has extended its Series A round with an additional €18 million, bringing total funding to €75 million. The new capital will accelerate deployment of FERNRIDE’s proven container-terminal autonomy platform into defence logistics, addressing urgent needs for safer, more resilient supply chains across Europe.
Backers in this extension include Helantic alongside a group of dual-use investors, family offices, and venture firms, with Thomas Müller—former CEO of Hensoldt and Airbus Defense board member—joining FERNRIDE’s board. Existing shareholders also increased their stakes, underscoring confidence in FERNRIDE’s mission and technology.
FERNRIDE’s platform is already in operation at critical infrastructure nodes for customers such as HHLA, Volkswagen, and DB Schenker. Following TÜV SÜD’s pioneering safety certification of its autonomous terminal tractor and transition to driverless operations, the company has proven its ability to deliver robust autonomy in commercial logistics environments.
With this latest funding, FERNRIDE will adapt its vehicle-agnostic autonomy stack for defence applications—enabling rapid deployment, seamless human oversight, and scalable retrofitting on military transport vehicles. European armed forces, facing personnel shortages and rising geopolitical pressures, will benefit from autonomous systems that can handle repetitive transport tasks, freeing skilled personnel for strategic roles.
KEY QUOTES:
“Europe needs sovereignty in critical industries and technologies. Autonomous systems for Container Terminals and Defence are mission-critical for Europe’s future. Our solution is already operating in essential infrastructure, keeping goods moving at container terminals. With this new investment, we’ll expand our technology platform to serve defence logistics, ensuring safer operations, addressing personnel shortages, and ultimately protecting lives. We’ve shown that autonomy can solve real-world problems in civilian supply chains. 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.”
Hendrik Kramer, CEO and Co-founder of FERNRIDE
“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, who joins the Advisory Board of FERNRIDE
