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Glīd Technologies and Mendocino Railway have announced a strategic partnership to pioneer advanced autonomous and hybrid-powered freight technologies. This collaboration will focus on the historic Willits-to-Fort Bragg corridor in Northern California, aiming to revitalize existing infrastructure and promote decarbonized supply chains.
Key Highlights:
- A strategic partnership has been formed between Glīd Technologies and Mendocino Railway.
- The collaboration will focus on deploying autonomous and hybrid-powered freight solutions.
- A pilot program is set to launch on the Willits-to-Fort Bragg rail corridor.
- The initiative aims to revitalize underutilized infrastructure, decarbonize local supply chains, and improve logistics for rural and underserved communities.
- A global first-of-its-kind deployment is scheduled for 2025.
The partnership involves integrating Glīd’s innovative Glider M, a hybrid-powered manned road-to-rail vehicle, and the AR2RV (Autonomous Road-to-Rail Vehicle) into Mendocino Railway’s operations. This initiative represents a significant step towards modernizing freight transport. The mutual agreement between the two companies seeks to reimagine logistics for rural areas, with a core objective of minimizing operational risks while maximizing long-term profitability and efficiency.
Kevin Damoa, CEO of Glīd, emphasized that the project extends beyond mere technological implementation, highlighting its potential to transform a critical regional lifeline. He noted the partnership aims to infuse the corridor with a new purpose by deploying clean, intelligent freight mobility. This effort could potentially serve as a national model for shortline rail innovation and rural economic development. The pilot project will rigorously evaluate the performance, reliability, and scalability of Glīd’s mobility systems across the rugged and scenic 40-mile route.
Robert Jason Pinoli, President and CEO of Mendocino Railway, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating it aligns with the innovative spirit of the Skunk Train while respecting its historical roots. Beyond the technological advancements, the partnership prioritizes local community engagement, workforce upskilling, and coordination with public and private entities to secure federal and state support. Together, Glīd and Mendocino Railway envision a future where rail transport becomes a cleaner, smarter, and more inclusive backbone of regional mobility. The global first-of-its-kind deployment of these advanced technologies is anticipated to launch in 2025.
Mendocino Railway operates the California Western Railroad, famously known as the Skunk Train. This Class III common carrier public utility railroad, with a history dating back to 1885, is situated in Northern California’s redwood forests. Initially established to transport redwood logs and later finished lumber, the railroad has also provided passenger services and is now a celebrated tourist attraction. It continues to operate freight, passenger, and excursion trains year-round.
Glīd Technologies specializes in redefining first-mile logistics through its patented multi-modal autonomous road-to-rail Glīders. These advanced robotics and vehicle platforms are engineered to eliminate transload inefficiencies, making rail transport more accessible, efficient, and sustainable. The company integrates human-assisted autonomy with its AI-driven EZRA-1SIX logistics platform to optimize operations in ports, rail, and industrial settings.
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